Mickey Mouse Horror Movie Trailer Released: Film Uses “Steamboat Willie” Version Of Character Now In Public Domain

At 12:01 this morning, the first version of one of the world’s most popular children’s characters entered the public domain. Soon after, the trailer for a slasher film was mentioned Mickey’s Mousetrap was published online.

Includes excerpts from Walt Disney’s 1928 animated classic Steamboat Willie is interspersed with newly shot footage that tells the story of a mouse-masked killer stalking school children in an arcade.

Here’s the logline: It’s Alex’s 21st birthday, but she’s stuck at the arcade on her late shift, so her friends decide to surprise her, but a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse decides to start a game of his own. to create to play with them, which she absolutely must do to survive. .

The film was shot, edited and directed by Jamie Bailey and written by Simon Phillips. A trailer for Steamboat Willie inspired horror game Pollution 88 after releasing a trailer today as well.

So is litigation in the filmmakers’ future?

“Modern versions of Mickey will not be affected by the passage Steamboat Willie “Copyright applies, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company in our stories, theme park attractions and merchandise,” a Disney spokesperson said of the dos and don’ts of the upcoming sound synchronized film. the public sector today. “We will of course continue to protect our rights to the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright, and we will work to avoid consumer confusion caused by unauthorized use of Mickey and our other iconic characters,” it added companies added.

The sharpest trap Disney has yet to use to catch anyone trying to enter its Mickey territory is perception. Even though the original incarnation of AA Milne’s beloved character rose to public power in 2022, no one in their right mind really believed that Disney was behind last year’s games. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey and deals with slasher films. If there was a version of it though Steamboat Willie and whether Airplane crazyIf Mickey or Minnie somehow tricked consumers into thinking it was from Disney or even implied it, the Mouse House lawyer would kill the project faster than a nighttime Magic Kingdom parade during a thunderstorm.

In fact, the following was added to the trailer: “DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A DISNEY MOVIE OF PRODUCTION. IT IS IN NO WAY ENDORSED OR ENDORSED BY DISNEY. This film uses only Steam Boat Willie Mickey Mouse in the public domain. Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie entered the public domain on January 1, 2024.”

Dominic Patten contributed to this report.