Mickey Mouse's Fate Unveiled as Disney's Beloved Icon Approaches Public Domain

On January 1, 2024, several major characters entered the public domain, including Disney's iconic short Steamboat Willie. Already, a slasher movie featuring Mickey Mouse as the killer has been released.

JM Barrie’s Peter Pan and Tigger from AA Milne’s books are now open for licensing, and the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse is also up for grabs. The latest development is a horror movie titled Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, taking advantage of the legal loophole, set to be released in 2023.

Mickey Mouse slasher explained as Disney icon enters public domain

As soon as this early version of the animated mouse entered the public domain, the trailer for a slasher movie called Mickey’s Mouse Trap dropped online.

In a setting reminiscent of the 2023 horror sensation Five Nights at Freddy's, the movie takes place in an amusement arcade and features a killer who bears a striking resemblance to Walt Disney's iconic character. Dubbed as "the first-ever live-action Mickey Mouse comedy horror feature film," the trailer on YouTube includes a prominent disclaimer that clarifies the film's use of the public domain Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse and emphasizes that it is not affiliated or endorsed by Disney in any way. The disclaimer also specifies that there is no copyright or trademark infringement of later versions of Mickey Mouse.

Jamie Bailey, the movie's director, expressed in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, "We just wanted to have fun with it all. I mean it’s Steamboat Willie‘s Mickey Mouse murdering people. It’s ridiculous. We ran with it and had fun doing it and I think it shows." The horror movie features a cast including Sophie McIntosh, Callum Sywyk, Allegra Nocita, Ben Harris, Damir Kovic, Mackenzie Mills, Nick Biskupek, and Simon Phillips.

What is Steamboat Willie?

The eight-minute animated short "Steamboat Willie" was written and directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. It was released in November 1928 and marked the first onscreen appearances of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse (aside from test screenings of another animated short called Plane Crazy earlier that year).

The story follows the animated mouse as he navigates a steamboat, gathers animals, conflicts with the captain, and encounters Minnie. This version of Mickey is the only one that is now in the public domain, so there are no colors, no gloves, and no high-pitched voice.

Mickey’s Mouse Trap doesn’t have a release date, but the filmmakers are hoping to have it out in March. For more movie news, head here.

Editor's P/S

As a lifelong fan of Mickey Mouse and all things Disney, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation about Mickey Mouse entering the public domain. On the one hand, it's thrilling to think about the creative possibilities that this opens up for filmmakers and artists. The idea of seeing Mickey Mouse in a horror movie like Mickey's Mouse Trap is both intriguing and unsettling, and I'm curious to see how filmmakers will interpret and reimagine this beloved character in new and unexpected ways.

On the other hand, I can't deny that I feel a sense of protectiveness towards Mickey Mouse and his legacy. Mickey Mouse is such an iconic and cherished figure, and I worry about how he might be portrayed in these new interpretations. I trust that filmmakers will approach this opportunity with respect and creativity, but I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of seeing Mickey Mouse in a context that is so different from the one I grew up with.