‘Steamboat Willie’ Horror Films Announced After Mickey Enters Public Domain
In case you haven’t heard, the 1928 Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain on Monday, and independent creators have wasted no time pouncing on the iconic character’s availability.
Earlier today, we brought you the news that a Steamboat Willie horror game was being developed. Now comes the announcement that the pair of horror films starring the world’s most famous mouse are in development.
A “Twisted Take” on the Beloved Character
Following in the footsteps of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, Steven LaMorte is set to direct a yet-untitled horror-comedy based on Mickey’s seminal 1928 cartoon.
In the film, the mouse will torment a group of unsuspecting ferry passengers. Production will begin this spring.
“Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror,” LaMorte said in a press release. “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.”
“It Comes From Our Love of These Characters”
LaMorte is no stranger to taking characters in a darker direction. He has previously directed The Mean One, a horror parody of the Grinch.
“It all comes from our love of these characters,” he said in an interview. “Filmmakers — we’re all kids in the sandbox. We love taking them and playing with them in different ways. It’s not a desire to ruin these characters or make a quick buck, but to love them and honor them and show them in a new light.”
Disney Still Has Some Protections
While Disney’s copyright to Steamboat Willie expired on Monday, alongside the rights to the original versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the company still holds copyrights for all later versions of the character.
“We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright, and we will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters,” the company said last month.
According to LaMorte, producers are working with a legal team to ensure they stay within the law, and the character in the film will not be called “Mickey Mouse” but instead will go by “Steamboat Willie.”
“We are doing our due diligence to make sure there’s no question or confusion of what we’re up to,” he said. “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.”
More ‘Steamboat Willie’ Parodies Will Follow
LaMorte’s film will compete with the previously announced Mickey’s Mouse Trap, another horror film looking to capitalize on Mickey’s lapse into the public domain.
Just two days following Mickey’s lapse into the public domain, the parodies have begun. Surely, there will be more announcements to follow.
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