All I’m going to say is Disney can’t be happy about the new ‘Steamboat Willie’s’ upcoming horror films.
Well, as you probably guessed that’s not all I’m going to say about this.
Let me get you caught up on some background before we get to the news.
In the U.S. a copyright can be held for 95 years from the date it is issued. You have to go back to January 1, 1929 when Disney’s copyright for ‘Steamboat Willie’ was officially approved.
Then on January 1, 2024 Disney’s copyright for ‘Steamboat Willie’ officially expired, allowing for any number of Mickey-themed content to be created and brought to market; just don’t call the character ‘Mickey Mouse’.
You see, copyright law in the U.S. is complicated. While Disney’s copyright for ‘Steamboat Willie’ has expired, Disney still owns the copyright to the ‘Mickey Mouse’ we know today. That copyright was issued in 1939, which means it won’t expire until 2034. Disney is continuously updating and copyrighting new versions of Mickey Mouse to stay ahead of expiring copyrights.
In 2004, Disney created a 3-D ‘Mickey Mouse’ that is increasingly sweeter-looking and has gotten more rounded over time. This new copyright isn’t set to expire until 2099.
Now that you’re all caught up on U.S. copyright law that brings us to the news that not one, but two new ‘Steamboat Willie’ horror movies are being made right now for release now tha the character has entered the public domain for the first time.
The first movie is entitled “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” and is a live-action film directed by Jamie Bailey. It’s actually already been released, but no need to rush out and try to see it since it’s not even being shown in any theaters yet (that should tell you all you need to know about demand for a ‘Mickey Mouse’ themed horror movie version of everyone’s favorite 1929 mouse. The plot of the movie is as thin as its title, but says the movie “depicts a group of friends who are terrorized by someone in a mask of the smiling rodent at a carnival.” with the movie slogan “The mouse is out”.
Cring!
So hopefully the second ‘Steamboat Willie’ horror film is better than the first. Ops!
I spoke too soon. The second movie is slated to start filming in Spring of 2024, and the director Steven LaMorte shared that “Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror. I can’t wait to unleash our twisted take on this beloved character to the world.”
So much for compelling plots.
My guess is Disney probably isn’t very worried about either of these movies using the expired copyright of ‘Steamboat Willie’.
If I were those two directors I’d be more worried that no one will want to see my movies.
‘Steamboat Willie’ Horror Film Announced as Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain