Barely 24 hours after the first version of Mickey Mouse hit the public domain, two new independent horror films starring the famous rodent have been announced.
The copyright for the cartoon “Willie's Steamboat,” a 1928 black-and-white short that made Walt Disney's Creature famous, expires Jan. 1 after 95 years under American law.
A deadline that now allows any filmmaker or amateur to freely copy, share, reuse or adapt the image of the characters appearing there, including Mickey and his companion Minnie.
Disney may be cautious after taking action to protect its iconic character, but some gore fans didn't hesitate to jump down the legal mouse hole they were given.
The film “Mickey's Mouse Trap” promises the story of a masked murderer disguised as Mickey who pursues a group of young friends through an arcade. And a second feature film is also about horror: a sadistic mouse attacks innocent passengers on a ferry.
“We just wanted to have fun with the whole thing,” “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” director Jamie Bailey said in a trailer posted on YouTube. “It's Mickey from 'Willie's Steamboat' who murders people. It is ridiculous.”
This low-budget horror film is scheduled to hit theaters in March.
For his part, director Steven LaMorte – known for The Mean One, a 2022 Grinch-inspired horror film – told Variety magazine that he is working on his own “twisted interpretation” of Mickey. A production that does not yet have a title.
“'Willie's Steamboat' has brought joy to generations, but beneath that joyful exterior lies the potential for pure, disordered terror,” the director said in a statement.
The two projects commemorate the release of “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey,” an independent production that made headlines after the copyright of the first Winnie-the-Pooh books expired.
However, the entire industry knows that Disney closely monitors its character adaptations and will not hesitate to call in its lawyers if someone crosses the line.
Because only the first version of Mickey, a skinny and mischievous mouse in black and white, is in the public domain. The colorful, rounder and more pleasant character of later films like “Fantasia” is not without rights.
Additionally, trademark protection means that any film or product that misleads consumers into believing it was made by Disney can be prosecuted.
In a press release to AFP, the multinational Disney group assured that things “continue”.[rait] to protect [ses] Rights to newer versions of Mickey and other works remain copyrighted.
But Mr. LaMorte isn't afraid to play cat and mouse.
“We’re trying to make sure there’s no doubt or confusion about what we’re doing,” he told Variety.
“This is our version of a public domain character.”