The classic Walt Disney short Steamboat Willie went into the public domain at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve, putting that very crude version of Mickey Mouse into the hands of basically anyone who wants to use him… in any way that they want to.
Last year, the same thing happened with A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh (the book), and very quickly, the horror movie Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey was rushed into theaters.
Just a day after Steamboat Willie went into the public domain, Bailey Films released the trailer for a slasher take on Mickey Mouse, Mickey’s Mouse Trap.
Here’s the film’s description:
It’s Alex’s 21st Birthday, but she’s stuck at the amusement arcade on a late shift so her friends decide to surprise her, but a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse decides to play a game of his own with them which she must survive.
The trailer includes footage and imagery from Steamboat Willie, which is… perfectly fine now, I guess.
You can watch below:
The video features the following disclaimer:
THIS IS NOT NOT A DISNEY FILM OR PRODUCTION. IT IS NOT TO AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY DISNEY IN ANY WAY. This film makes use of Public domain Steam Boat Willie Mickey Mouse only. Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse entered public domain on January 1st 2024. No copyright infringement of later versions of Mickey Mouse or trademark infringements.
Jamie Bailey directed, filmed, and edited Mickey’s Mouse Trap, which was written by Simon Phillips.
Simon Phillips is credited as “Mickey,” while the cast also includes Nick Biskupek, James Laurin, Mireille Gagné, Damir Kovic, Callum Sywyk, Allegra Nocita, Jesse Nasmith, Mackenzie Mills, Madeline Kelman, and Ben Harris.
Mickey’s Mouse Trap will be released later this year.
