'Steamboat Willie' Mickey Mouse is in a horror movie trailer. Blame the public domain
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Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie," the first cartoon to star Mickey Mouse, is the star of a new horror trailer after becoming public domain Monday.
A trailer for a slasher film "Mickey’s Mouse Trap" dropped on Monday, including clips from the 1928 "Steamboat Willie" as a masked Mickey terrorizes college-aged kids during their trip to the arcade. "The mouse is out," the teaser declares at the end.
Alex is working the late shift at an amusement arcade on her 21st birthday "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," a description of the movie reads on IMDb.
Underneath the mask is Simon Phillips, the writer and star of the upcoming movie.
Is Mickey Mouse slasher film from Disney?
No. "Mickey's Mouse Trap" was directed and filmed by Jamie Bailey of A Bailey Phillips Production.
The trailer also includes the disclaimer in the description: "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."
When did Mickey Mouse become public domain?
The "Steamboat Willie" version of Mickey Mouse became public domain on Jan. 1, 2024.
Is Disney losing Mickey?
Current artists and creators will be able to make use of Mickey, but with major limits. It is only the more mischievous, rat-like, non-speaking boat captain in "Steamboat Willie" that has become public.
Disney still solidly and separately holds a trademark on Mickey as a corporate mascot and brand identifier, and the law forbids using the character deceptively to fool consumers into thinking a product is from the original creator. Anyone starting a film company or a theme park will not be free to make mouse ears their logo.
Disney's early Mickey Mouse, Picasso, Tolkien and more art now in the public domain
"More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and 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," a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to The Associated Press.
"We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright," the company said.
How does Disney feel about 'Steamboat Willie' being public domain?
"Ever since Mickey Mouse's first appearance in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, people have associated the character with Disney’s stories, experiences, and authentic products," the company told AP. "That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires."
Contributing: Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
Related: How can Winnie the Pooh be made a killer in 'Blood and Honey'? The public domain, explained
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Mouse Trap' movie: Mickey Mouse's Steamboat Willie is public domain
