Mickey Mouse Goes Free: Brace Yourself for the Flood of Low-Budget Horror Films
Get ready for a thrilling twist on the beloved classic! As Mickey Mouse enters the public domain, brace yourself for two exciting and chilling Steamboat Willie adaptations making waves in 2024
The earliest version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain at 12:01 AM on Monday. It didn't take long for various projects featuring Mickey and his iconic gloveless hands to emerge, ranging from erotic prints to labor rights logos on t-shirts. More ambitious works included "edgy" video games and even two slasher films: Mickey's Mouse Trap, and an untitled movie featuring a deranged mouse targeting ferry guests.
In Mickey's Mouse Trap, a young woman named Alex is stuck working at an arcade on her birthday. When her friends attempt to surprise her, a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse appears and begins hunting them down. The film, directed by Jamie Bailey and written by Simon Phillips, features a trailer below for those interested.
Curious about what can and cannot be shown when it comes to the iconic Disney character? It's quite straightforward: Only the proto-version of Mickey from the Steamboat Willie animated shorts can be featured. It is crucial to emphasize that Disney does not endorse or affiliate with any unauthorized portrayals of the beloved character.
The trailer includes the following disclaimer: "DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A DISNEY FILM OR PRODUCTION. IT IS NOT AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY DISNEY IN ANY WAY. This film utilizes the public domain Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse only. Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse entered public domain on January 1st, 2024."
Much like the grimdark Winne the Pooh: Blood and Honey feature we got last year, this could be just the beginning for more of this sort of thing.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Mickey Mouse, I am deeply disappointed and concerned about the potential flood of low-budget horror films featuring the iconic character. Mickey Mouse has always been a symbol of joy, innocence, and childhood wonder, and it pains me to see him associated with violence and gore. These unauthorized adaptations not only tarnish the legacy of Mickey Mouse but also disrespect the creativity and hard work of the original creators.
While I understand that the proto-version of Mickey Mouse from the Steamboat Willie shorts has entered the public domain, I believe it is crucial to maintain the integrity and values associated with the character. Mickey Mouse should continue to be a positive influence on children and families, and it is disheartening to see him portrayed in a negative light. I hope that those involved in these horror films will reconsider their approach and find more appropriate ways to express their creativity without exploiting beloved characters.
