New Horror Movie Trailer Features Knife-Wielding Mickey Mouse
A trailer for a new horror movie starring a knife-wielding Mickey Mouse has been released on the same day that the 1928 version of the character entered the public domain.
The Trailer for 'Mickey's Mouse Trap'
A trailer for a new horror movie titled 'Mickey's Mouse Trap' has been released, featuring a version of the Disney character from the 1928 film 'Steamboat Willie'. The trailer shows the rodent engaged in a deadly game with a group of young adults, as they try to evade his knife. The film was created by Jamie Bailey and written by Simon Phillips, who also portrays the murderous mouse.
Iconography From Other Franchises
The upcoming horror movie doesn't just draw inspiration from Disney, but also from other beloved franchises. In the trailer, the killing spree takes place in an amusement park arcade, reminiscent of Chuck E. Cheese. Additionally, the villain is shown wearing a twisted Mickey Mouse mask that bears a resemblance to Ghostface's mask from the 'Scream' movies. This connection is further emphasized by a line in the trailer referencing the infamous 'I'll be right back' trope from the 'Scream' series.
A Clever Loophole in Copyright Law
The decision to model the murderous Mickey after Ghostface may seem lazy, but it serves a purpose. According to copyright law, creators are only allowed to use the non-speaking boat captain version of Mickey from 'Steamboat Willie'. By drawing inspiration from the mostly silent Ghostface, who famously communicates through phone calls, the filmmakers found a clever loophole. This allowed them to create a murder-happy Mickey while still adhering to copyright restrictions.
More 'Steamboat Willie' Horrors to Come
The release of 'Mickey's Mouse Trap' is just the beginning of horror adaptations based on 'Steamboat Willie'. A video game titled 'Infestation 88' and a horror-comedy film are also in the works. The video game, developed by Nightmare Forge, also features a sinister Mickey, while the upcoming film will portray the sadistic mouse tormenting unsuspecting ferry passengers. These projects capitalize on the public domain status of 'Steamboat Willie' and continue the trend of transforming beloved children's characters into horror movie villains.
