Surprisingly, the famous ‘Steamboat Willie,’ known for introducing Mickey Mouse in 1928, is turned into a horror film.
Key Takeaways
- “Steamboat Willie” turns horror with Steven LaMorte directing, featuring an evil Mickey Mouse.
- Filming in NYC from May 1 to June 8, the plot unfolds with a monstrous mouse terrorizing tourists.
- Using “Steamboat Willie’s” public domain status, it spins a dark new take on Mickey.
The concept of “Steamboat Willie” turning into a horror movie relies on a big change in copyright laws. As 2024 rolled around, “Steamboat Willie’s” copyright ran out under U.S. law, which protects copyrights for 95 years. This expiration paved the way for new Mickey-themed content, free from copyright restrictions.
Steven LaMorte, known for his work in the horror genre, announced a second “Steamboat Willie” horror adaptation set for Spring 2024.
Filming in New York City from May 1 to June 8 this year, “Steamboat Willie” follows a horror setup where a late-night boat ride becomes a desperate struggle against an evil mouse who loves scaring via ProductionList.
The official synopsis of the movie reads:
“A late-night boat ride turns into a desperate fight for survival in New York City when a mischievous mouse becomes a monstrous reality. Can a motley crew survive a killer creature with a taste for tourists?”
This bold new take happens as ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters the public domain, letting creators like LaMorte tell darker stories without stepping on Disney’s trademarked image of Mickey Mouse.
It’s part of a rising trend of turning beloved characters into villains, showing a creative reaction to copyright protections ending on iconic figures.
LaMorte’s dive into horror is not new; his background in horror projects, such as The Mean One, has made him a well-known name in the indie horror scene.
As ‘Steamboat Willie’ gets ready to scare audiences with its fresh take on Mickey’s debut, it’s clear we’re seeing the lines blur between childhood memories and horror fantasies.
