Why a Popeye movie?

[Goofyuk]

I've been thinking about the Robin William Popeye movie by Disney. Maybe there is a really obvious reason behind this. But can somebody please explain why, with all the stories to draw from, Disney decided to create a live action film about another companies franchise character?

Was there ever an attempt to acquire the rights to Popeye as a whole, because I could see Disney pulling off a great Popeye animated musical movie in the 80s/90s

 

[old lady]

I don't know if Universal would like that?