The original Mickey Mouse is now public domain – and the horror movies are already on their way
Jan. 2, 2024Steamboat Willie is getting the slasher treatment
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Steamboat Willie, the black-and-white cartoon that introduced Mickey Mouse to the world, is now public domain – and the horror adaptations have already begun.
First up is Mickey’s Mousetrap, directed by Jason Bailey via Into Frame Productions. PerThe Hollywood Reporter, the synopsis reads: “It’s Alex’s 21st birthday, but she’s stuck at the amusement arcade on a late shift so her friends decide to surprise her, but a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse decides to play a game of his own with them which she must survive.” The trailer, which can be viewed above, features a guy in a Mickey mask wielding a knife.
The second Steamboat Willie horror adaptation, which is currently untitled, will most likely turn Mickey himself into a killer (given that the film is directed by Steven LaMorte, who turned the Grinch into a knife-wielding beast in last year’s The Mean One). It’s important to note that Steamboat Willie is now public domain, and only the likes and image of the 1928 cartoon character can be used. Because of this,Disneyhas the right to slap a lawsuit on any film that uses the name “Mickey Mouse.”
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Lauren Milici is a Senior Entertainment Writer for GamesRadar+ currently based in the Midwest. She previously reported on breaking news for The Independent’s Indy100 and created TV and film listicles for Ranker. Her work has been published in Fandom, Nerdist, Paste Magazine, Vulture, PopSugar, Fangoria, and more.
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