Mickey Mouse-themed horror film? Everything about ‘Mouse Trap’ movie, how they can use the icon’s image

It's Mickey Mouse unlike you've seen him before. Definitely unlike you've ever seen him.

A trailer for a horror comedy film featuring the icon as the killer dropped the same day that Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" entered the public domain.

The trailer shows a knife-wielding slasher dressed in a Mickey costume as he chases down college students at an arcade. "A place for fun, a place for friends, a place for hunting. The mouse is out," the trailer declared in chilling red text.

What is 'Mickey's Mouse Trap' about?

The synopsis for the film reads: “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.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film does not yet have a release date, but producers are aiming for March.

Watch the trailer for "Mickey's Mouse Trap" below

Is 'Mickey's Mouse Trap' affiliated with Disney?

Not at all, so don't expect to see this film turned into a ride at Disney World. The slasher film was directed and filmed by 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."

What is the public domain?

Public domain is a frequently used term in copyright parlance, yet it isn't defined in copyright statutes. According to Copyright Laws, the phrase is commonly used to refer to content that isn't protected by copyright law.

Works that are in the public domain may be used freely, without obtaining permission from or compensating the copyright owner. These works might have entered the public domain because their exclusive intellectual property rights may have expired, been forfeited, expressly waived, or may be inapplicable.

It is noted that an adaptation of a work in the public domain may have copyright protection on its own as a new version of a work, which includes translations, amended versions and annotated versions.

When did 'Steamboat Willie' enter the public domain?

The character entered the public domain on Jan. 1 of 2024, as U.S. law allows a copyright can be held for 95 years. Steamboat Willie was first released on Nov. 18, 1928 (known as Mickey's birthday).

It's noted that it's the first film starring Mickey Mouse to be released with synchronized sound, according to the Museum of Modern Art. While the movie was the third of Mickey's films to be produced, it was the first to be distributed.

Has Disney lost Mickey Mouse?

While this specific version of Mickey Mouse has gone to the dark side, USA Today notes that Disney still solidly and separately holds a trademark on Mickey as a corporate mascot and brand identifier.

The law forbids using the character deceptively to fool consumers into thinking a product is from the original creator. Which means you still can't go opening up your own theme park with Mickey Mouse as the mascot.

"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.

Is there any other Mickey Mouse-themed horror content to keep an eye on?

Actually, yes.

Nightmare Forge Games developers announced "Infestation 88," a new Mickey Mouse horror game. According to the trailer released by IGN, it will be a survival-horror game where players will take on the roles of exterminators seeking to rid a storage facility of mutant rats.

Where does Mickey Mouse come in? He's obviously the final boss, with the trailer depicting a terrifying, bloodied Steamboat Willie-era Mickey.

The game was later renamed to "Infestation: Origins" with critics pointing out the original's references to Neo-Nazi ideology. Developers said that the original name was meant to reflect the year "1988," and apologized for the misunderstanding, changing the name quickly.

"Infestation: Origins" does not have a release date, but is slated to launch into early access sometime in 2024.

Contributing reporting: Naledi Ushe, USA Today Network

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Mickey Mouse horror movie comes after Disney icon enters public domain