Mickey Mouse, the iconic Disney character, is taking an unexpected turn into the realm of horror. With the release of the character’s copyright into the public domain, a surge of new and unconventional interpretations of Mickey is underway. According to Variety, filmmaker Steven Lamorte is set to direct a horror comedy based on ‘Steamboat Willie,’ the 1928 short film that marked Mickey’s debut. This shift signifies a new chapter portraying one of the world’s most beloved characters.
In a bold move, Lamorte’s production, set to begin in spring, revolves around a sinister version of the mouse terrorizing passengers on a ferry. Echoing this theme, another horror project titled ‘Mickey’s Mouse Trap’ is in the pipeline. This slasher movie features a group of teenagers haunted by a killer donning a Mickey Mouse mask. Simon Phillips, the actor and writer of the film, released a preview on YouTube, outlining the plot, which is centred around a 21st birthday celebration in an arcade, turning into a nightmarish survival game.
‘Mickey’s Mouse Trap’ is brought to life by director Jamie Bailey, writers Phillips and others, and stars James Laurin, Nick Biskupek, Mireille Gagné, and Damir Kovic. This transformation of Mickey Mouse into a horror figure doesn’t stop with films. The gaming world welcomes ‘Infestation 88’, a video game inspired by ‘Steamboat Willie’. This game, previewed on January 1st, features a distorted Mickey Mouse as a rat exterminator, further solidifying the character’s foray into horror.
This trend isn’t new. Previously, A.A. Milne’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’ experienced a similar transformation in the horror slasher film ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ (2023) by British director Rhys Frake-Waterfield. This film reimagined the friendly bear as a vengeful murderer targeting his owner, Christopher Robin.
The reimagination of Mickey Mouse in horror films and games marks a significant cultural shift. It reflects a growing trend of reinterpreting classic, beloved characters in new, often darker, narratives. As these projects progress, audiences worldwide await with curiosity and anticipation to see how these familiar figures adapt to their newfound, spine-chilling roles.
