In a surprising turn of events, Mickey Mouse has taken on a chilling new persona as the lead in not one, but two horror films. This revelation comes hot on the heels of the expiration of the copyright for Disney’s 1928 animated short film, “Steamboat Willie,” marking the first time this iconic character has entered the public domain.
The first spine-tingling venture, titled “Mickey’s Mouse Trap,” is a live-action film directed by Jamie Bailey. The teaser trailer, unveiled on Monday, unfolds a nightmarish scenario at a carnival where a group of friends find themselves terrorized by an individual donning a mask resembling the once beloved and cheerful rodent. With the ominous declaration, “The mouse is out,” the trailer sends shivers down the spines of viewers, challenging the conventional image of Mickey Mouse.
This creative endeavor, which would have previously been considered a copyright infringement, exploits the newfound freedom granted by the expiration of the “Steamboat Willie” copyright. The 95-year copyright duration, which held Mickey in a legal straitjacket for nearly a century, officially ended on January 1, 2024, opening the floodgates for innovative and daring reinterpretations of the character.
Hot on the heels of Mickey’s newfound horror role, a second Steamboat Willie-inspired film has been announced. Directed by Steven LaMorte, this upcoming production promises to bring a unique twist to the horror genre. Set to commence production in the Spring of 2024, the film draws attention to the distinctions between the early Steamboat Willie version of Mickey and the contemporary, globally recognized mascot. Notably, Steamboat Willie lacks the characteristic gloves and oversized shoes, while his eyes are portrayed as small, black ovals devoid of pupils.
Despite these audacious cinematic undertakings, Disney has remained tight-lipped about the horror film announcements. A representative for the entertainment giant did not immediately respond to inquiries, but in a statement issued last week, Disney reassured fans that “more modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright.” The company emphasized its commitment to protecting the rights of contemporary iterations of Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works, aiming to prevent consumer confusion resulting from unauthorized uses of their iconic characters.
This Mickey Mouse horror trend follows in the wake of last year’s “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey,” a slasher film made possible by the 2022 expiration of A.A. Milne’s original Winnie the Pooh character’s copyright. As iconic figures step into uncharted, darker territories, it seems the world of classic animated characters is undergoing a transformative and eerie evolution, courtesy of the expiration of long-standing copyrights.