The original depiction of Mickey Mouse, enshrined in the timeless 1928 classic Steamboat Willie, has entered the public domain – and its creators have already taken a dark turn.
With the end of 95 years of exclusivity under Disney ownership, creators around the world now have access to the original black and white characters, raising concerns in the Disney community about possible reinterpretations of this beloved character.
And now Bailey Phillips Production has released a trailer for Mickey's Mouse Trap, a slasher film featuring a sinister character wearing a Mickey Mouse mask.
Incorporating the original Steamboat Willie cartoon, the film unfolds as a spooky tale in which the joyous atmosphere of a birthday party – with a cheeky nod to one of the most cliched lines in any horror film: “I'll be right back” – turns into a nightmarish one Ordeal when a murderer wearing a Mickey Mouse mask crashes the party.
Speaking to , director Jamie Bailey said: “We just wanted to have fun with it. I mean, it's Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie who murders people. It is ridiculous. We ran with it and had fun doing it, and I think it shows.”
However, a disclaimer makes it clear that the filmmakers are only using the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse and their project has no connection to Disney.
The Mickey Mouse Protection Act
In the US, created characters enter the public domain after 95 years, and since Mickey Mouse was created in 1928, he is now fair game for creative use. Nevertheless, Disney ensures protection of modern versions and states: “More modern versions of Mickey remain unaffected.”
“Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions and merchandise,” the statement said.
Robert Thompson, a professor at Syracuse University, believes that while people can use the original Mickey, it is the first version and not the one most people know.
The company has repeatedly fought for copyright extensions in the past. The 1988 copyright extension known as the Mickey Mouse Protection Act extended the company's ownership for 20 years.
“It wasn’t just Disney that pushed for a term extension. “It was a whole group of copyright holders whose works would soon enter the public domain who benefited greatly from the 20 years of additional protection,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a law professor and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, reports Time.
Disney fights for copyright extensions
Disney's attempt to extend copyright went so far as to champion the 1988 Copyright Extension – known informally as the Mickey Mouse Protection Act – which extended their ownership by 20 years.
“It wasn’t just Disney that pushed for a term extension. “It was a whole group of copyright holders whose works would soon enter the public domain who benefited greatly from the 20 years of additional protection,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a law professor and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, reports Time.
While Disney may not support these projects, public domain status grants creators the freedom to explore unconventional narratives and shine a darker spotlight on the once wholesome Mickey Mouse.
Other notable works whose copyright expires in 2024 include “Lady Chatterley's Lover” by DH Lawrence, “Orlando” by Virginia Wolf, “The Mystery of the Blue Train” by Agatha Christie and “House at Pooh Corner,” the Winnie the Pooh book in which Tigger first appeared. The Leaping Tiger opens to the public for the first time.
–with the sun.