The earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, barely two days in the public domain.
The iconic character, as seen in the 1928 short film "Steamboat Willie," is now the center of attention in two horror films. The first film, titled "Mickey's Mouse Trap," unveiled its trailer on YouTube shortly after the character entered the public domain on Monday. A second yet-to-be-named film was announced on Tuesday.
"Steamboat Willie" was directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks and marked the third cartoon featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, with a more menacing Mickey at the helm of a boat, displaying characteristics more rat-like than mouse. The cartoon even showcased Mickey creating musical instruments out of other animals.
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Interestingly, the initial projects surrounding the public domain Mickey Mouse seem to be low-budget and campy slasher movies, a trend not unfamiliar in the wake of Winnie the Pooh entering the public domain in 2022. A year later, the bear was featured in the microbudget horror film, "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey."
The trailer for "Mickey's Mouse Trap," directed by Jamie Bailey, teases a storyline where a person wearing a comically small Mickey mask terrorizes a group of young individuals at an arcade. The text in the trailer hints at a sinister turn of events, stating, "A place for fun. A place for friends. A place for hunting. The mouse is out." However, no release date has been announced for the film.
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The second film, directed by Steven LaMorte, promises a late-night boat ride turning into a fight for survival in New York City as a mischievous mouse transforms into a monstrous reality.
LaMorte, known for his horror parody of "The Grinch," is ensuring that his team is working closely with legal experts to avoid any conflicts with Disney, opting to call their character "Steamboat Willie" instead of Mickey Mouse.
As Disney's 95-year copyright expires, it's important to note that the public is only permitted to use the initial versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, not the more recognizable modern designs. Disney has stated that they will continue to safeguard their rights in the contemporary iterations of Mickey Mouse and other copyrighted works.
