ORLANDO, Fla. – A horror comedy film featuring Mickey Mouse as a psycho killer has been announced following the entry of the 1928 Disney short film “Steamboat Willie” into the public domain.
Directed by Walt Disney, “Steamboat Willie” is an 8-minute short that was the first film to introduce the iconic cartoon character and was groundbreaking for its synchronized sound. The film entered the public domain on Jan. 1, 2024, opening doors for creative interpretations of the beloved character.
The horror indie “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” released its trailer shortly after the public domain entry, depicting a sinister figure in a Mickey Mouse costume stalking people in an arcade. The film follows a young woman on her 21st birthday working a late shift at an amusement arcade when a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse terrorizes her and her friends.
Despite Disney’s efforts to protect its characters, works published between 1923 and 1978 are protected for 95 years after publication, as per US copyright law. Disney has lobbied for copyright extension in the past, but the 1928 cartoon is now open to new interpretations.
Other filmmakers are also taking advantage of Mickey Mouse’s entry into the public domain. Another untitled horror movie is currently in production, directed by Steven LaMorte, in which a sadistic mouse torments passengers on a ferry.
While the original cartoon short showed Mickey Mouse in mischievous antics, the new interpretations take the character in a darker direction, marking a departure from his kid-friendly origins.
The film “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” is still awaiting an announced release date and aims for a March debut, showcasing the creativity that emerges when iconic works enter the public domain.