Mickey Mouse slasher movie trailer debuts as the iconic Disney character emerges from copyright and enters the public domain
- A new indie horror film called Mickey Mouse’s Trap is expected for a March 2024 release, with the first new trailer arriving on New Year’s Day
- US law allows a copyright to be held for 95 years, with a new wave of intellectual property created on January 1 each year for anyone to use
- This has paved the way for Mickey Mouse’s Trap, with the trailer (via YouTube from actor Simon Phillips) making it crystal clear that this is not a Disney production
The earliest known version of Mickey Mouse is entering the public domain today, and a movie starring the iconic character as a serial killer is already being released.
A new indie horror film called Mickey Mouse’s Trap is expecting a March 2024 release, with the first trailer arriving on New Year’s Day.
US law allows a copyright to be held for 95 years, with a new wave of intellectual property created on January 1 of each year that can be used by anyone.
This paved the way for Mickey Mouse’s Trap, with the trailer (via actor YouTube by Simon Phillips) making it crystal clear that this is not a Disney production.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A DISNEY FILM OR PRODUCTION. IT IS NOT AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY DISNEY IN ANY WAY. This film only uses Steam Boat Willie Mickey Mouse in the public domain,” the disclaimer begins.
The earliest known version of Mickey Mouse is entering the public domain today, and there’s already a movie coming out that features the iconic character as a serial killer.
A new indie horror film called Mickey Mouse’s Trap is expecting a March 2024 release, with the first trailer arriving on New Year’s Day.
‘Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie entered the public domain on January 1, 2024. No copyright infringement of later versions of Mickey Mouse or trademark infringement,” the disclaimer ends.
Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie was released in 1928, the first appearance of both Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, which also enters the public domain on New Year’s Day.
Every newer version of the beloved mouse is still protected under copyright laws, but for the first time since the mouse was created, a version of it will fall into the public domain.
This indie film Mickey Mouse’s Trap is apparently the first to exploit the character in the public domain, with Phillips playing Mickey, a demented murderer dressed as Mickey Mouse.
The mask Phillips uses clearly features an image of the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse, and not more modernized versions.
The trailer shows that the story takes place in an amusement park, where a group of friends are terrorized by the murderer in the mouse mask.
The trailer even features the original Steamboat Willie cartoon projected onto a screen before the killer takes action.
Director Jamie Bailey said in a statement: ‘We just wanted to have fun with it. I mean, it’s Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie killing people.”
‘Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie entered the public domain on January 1, 2024. No copyright infringement of later versions of Mickey Mouse or trademark infringement,” the disclaimer ends
Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie was released in 1928, the first appearance of both Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, which also enters the public domain on New Year’s Day.
This indie film Mickey Mouse’s Trap is apparently the first to exploit the character in the public domain, with Phillips playing Mickey, a demented murderer dressed as Mickey Mouse.
The trailer even features the original Steamboat Willie cartoon projected onto a screen before the killer takes action
He added in the statement: “It’s ridiculous. We ran with it and had fun with it, and I think it shows.”
The film also stars Sophie McIntosh, Callum Sywyk, Allegra Nocita, Ben Harris, Damir Kovic, Mackenzie Mills and Nick Biskupek and Simon Phillips.
The film was produced by Paul Whitney, Mark Popejoy, Alexander Gausman and Andrew Agopsowicz, with Filmcore’s Mem Ferda co-producing.
Mickey Mouse’s Trap comes a year after another iconic character entered the public domain – Winnie the Pooh – paving the way for the indie slasher Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.