Flea From Red Hot Chili Peppers Wants to Play Popeye in a Live-Action Film

by Silviya Y - 22.06.2022 First Published 22,June 2022, 12:59 PM

The bassist of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea has expressed his interest in playing Popeye in a live-action film if one was ever made. The singer and actor, who previously played a bounty hunter in the latest Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi, pitched the idea of playing the beloved animated sailor on Twitter last weekend.

If a good director decides to make a popeye movie, I’m your man.
— Flea (@flea333) June 19, 2022

Flea has been appearing in TV series and blockbuster movies for decades, despite being best known as the bassist for the California rock legends.

Back to the Future II and III, The Big Lebowski, Baby Driver, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Chase and My Own Private Idaho are just a few of his most well-known film appearances. He has also voiced characters in The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad.

Evidently interested in more than the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea sends a message that he's ready to play Popeye | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly — Image Courtesy: The Georgia Straight

Popeye was first published as a comic book in 1929, thanks to E.C. Segar. In 1980, a live-action musical starring Robin Williams as the title character and directed by Robert Altman brought the character to the big screen.

It is unknown at this time whether a new Popeye film is in the works, but based on the comments to Flea’s tweet, it appears that fans would be interested in the notion.

Robert Altman’s was one of my favs. Robin Williams. The set. The music – Harry Nilsson. Shelley Duvall singing “he needs me” (later used in punch drunk love). Perfection. And yes… you would be perfect casting🥰
— Meredith Salenger (@MeredthSalenger) June 20, 2022

The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ latest album, “Unlimited Love,” is the group’s first since 2016’s “The Getaway,” and it’s the first to feature seasoned guitarist John Frusciante in more than ten years. The band is currently in the middle of a global stadium tour in support of the record.

—Silviya.Y