As we discussed on Tuesday, the original versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse went into public domain on January 1 (also known as Monday). Disney’s copyright on their First Couple expired, which means that anyone can legally use their incarnations from the 1928 short cartoon Steamboat Willie. And so they have! While Minnie has (so far) been spared, it seems many an auteur were chomping at the bit to give Mickey the horror film treatment. A teaser trailer for Mickey’s Mouse Trap dropped on YouTube literally the first day he entered public domain:
Leading things off is an official teaser for Mickey’s Mouse Trap, a horror flick based on Mickey Mouse from 1928’s Steamboat Willie, which was released via YouTube on Monday.
The footage from the upcoming film, which is expected to release in March 2024, sees a group of teens in an arcade stumble across a blood-soaked jungle gym before cutting to a reel-to-reel projector eerily running clips from Steamboat Willie, the Walt Disney short that first introduced Mickey Mouse to the world. The following scenes showcase an individual dressed as Mickey Mouse going on an apparent murderous rampage through the arcade.
Mickey’s Mouse Trap was directed by Jamie Bailey and is a Bailey Phillips Production. In the description underneath the film’s teaser, the creators wrote “THIS IS NOT [sic] A DISNEY FILM OR PRODUCTION. IT IS NOT AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY DISNEY IN ANY WAY. This film makes use of Public domain Steam Boat Willie Mickey Mouse only. Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse entered public domain on January 1st 2024. No copyright infringement of later versions of Mickey Mouse or trademark infringements.”
But wait, there’s more! A second Steamboat Willie-Mickey horror film is set to start filming in the Spring:
Following Mickey’s Mouse Trap was the announcement of a second, unnamed film based around the character of Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie. This project, which has no affiliation with Mickey’s Mouse Trap, sees a mouse tormenting passengers on a ferry.
In a press release obtained by Variety, Steven LaMorte, director of the second film, made it known that his character won’t be identified as Mickey Mouse or make any mention of Disney. “We are doing our due diligence to make sure there’s no question or confusion of what we’re up to,” he said, noting that producers are working with a legal team to ensure they stay within the law. “This is our version of a public domain character. It’s a scary thrill ride with heart and humor, based on this character that everybody knows.”
Upon entering the public domain on Monday, Disney lost the copyright law protection that has allowed the studio total control over Steamboat Willie and that film’s version of Mickey Mouse’s likeness since 1928. Disney still retains copyright protection over the later, more recognizable iterations of Mickey Mouse.
“Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror,” LaMorte added, according to the publication. “It’s a project I’ve been dreaming of, and I can’t wait to unleash this twisted take on this beloved character to the world.”
I barely know where to start, this flurry of slightly-anarchistic activity is making my impish heart sing. First of all, the fact that one of the horror film directors is named LaMorte is killing me. I don’t care if it’s a stage name to cement his brand, it still works. A director hasn’t been so aptly named since Roger De Bris from The Producers. Moving right along… There’s an anthropological study to be conducted on why, when made available to the public, the first two projects out the gate are slasher films casting Mickey as the villain. Have there been generations of children traumatized by Mickey who’ve all just been waiting to exact their revenge via hokey cinema? I mean, it sounds like LaMorte in particular has been plotting for this moment since loooong before the copyright was even close to expiring.
As for the Mickey’s Mouse Trap trailer, it’s hilarious. To me it’s one of those things that’s so bad it swings back into being fabulous. The production value reads as film school (the first comment to the video was “The budget for this must be $100”). People Mag’s description of the killer being “dressed as Mickey Mouse” isn’t quite right — the figure is clad in hockey clothing just with a black & white Mickey mask over his head. The shot that absolutely sent me over the edge was of his silhouette coming into frame just in shadow, panning up to reveal the unmistakable outline of his ears.
Please enjoy the Mickey’s Mouse Trap trailer. It’s awful, it’s fantastic, and I wish them all the luck in the world going up against Disney.
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