The Origins of Mickey Mouse

The public domain welcomed an early version of Mickey Mouse this week. The creation date of the beloved Disney character is now in question. The Walt Disney Company is heavily impacted by this development, making it a tough week for the Mouse House as their main mascot and the star of their official logo is now outside of copyright protection in the U.S. - at least partially.

The Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie is now in the public domain, allowing for creative use as long as it avoids infringing on recent copyrights. With the iconic white gloves, red shorts, and distinctive high-pitched voice, the character can be freely utilized. This has led to the announcement of a pair of scary movies and a horror game featuring the beloved rodent. But where did it all start?

When was Mickey Mouse created?

Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928, debuting in two animated shorts – Steamboat Willie, and Plane Crazy.

The pair had previously developed a character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, but when Universal acquired their creation, they opted to create a character they could fully own. Thus, Mickey was brought to life.

Initially named Mortimer Mouse, it was Walt's wife, Lillian, who persuaded him to change the name to Mickey. Voiced by Walt in the early years, the character was originally very mischievous, but this trait was gradually dialed back over time.

Mickey starred in a number of animated shorts, with 10 of them being nominated for Academy Awards. These shorts would often include his beloved Minnie Mouse, his dog Pluto, and his pals Donald Duck and Goofy.

In addition to his shorts, Mickey also made an appearance in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice segment of Fantasia, a highly praised Disney film. The Disney logo now showcases the Steamboat Willy version of Mickey, bringing the character back to his origins.

What are the Mickey Mouse horror movies?

With that early iteration of Mickey Mouse now in the public domain, two horror movies featuring the character are set to his screens in 2024.

Check out the newly released trailer for Mickey’s Mouse Trap, a slasher film set in an amusement arcade, scheduled for release in March. In addition, a horror movie titled Steamboat Willie, featuring a sadistic mouse killing ferry passengers, is set to start filming this Spring. For more information on Mickey’s Mouse Trap, click here, and for details on Steamboat Willie, head here. You can also find more characters, movies, books, and shows entering the public domain here.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Mickey Mouse, I am deeply saddened by the news that the original version of this beloved character has entered the public domain. Mickey Mouse has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and he has brought me countless hours of joy and laughter. I am concerned about the potential impact this development may have on the character's legacy and the future of Disney.

On the other hand, I am also excited about the possibilities that this development may bring. The fact that Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain means that creators can use him in their own works, which could lead to some truly unique and interesting interpretations of the character. I am eager to see what creative minds come up with and how they will reimagine Mickey Mouse for a new generation.