The earliest version of Disney’s mascot Mickey Mouse is depicted as a serial killer in the upcoming horror-comedy Mickey’s Mouse Trap.

On 1 January, Disney’s copyright on the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse, which appeared in a 1928 short film, expired in the U.S. and entered the public domain, meaning creatives are now allowed to use those early versions of Mickey and Minnie.

The trailer for Mickey’s Mouse Trap was released on that day, revealing a serial killer in a Steamboat Willie-style Mickey mask going on a murder spree in an amusement arcade.

On YouTube, the trailer is accompanied by a disclaimer insisting it does not infringe upon Disney’s copyright.

“DISCLAIMER: 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. Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse entered public domain on January 1st 2024,” the note reads.

Discussing the idea, director Jamie Bailey told The Hollywood Reporter, “We just wanted to have fun with it all. I mean it’s Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse murdering people. It’s ridiculous. We ran with it and had fun doing it and I think it shows.”

The film does not currently have a release date, however, the producers are aiming to debut it in March.

Mickey’s Mouse Trap is not the only project to make use of the copyright – a trailer for a horror video game called Infestation 88, featuring the Steamboat Willie Mickey, was released on Monday too.

The iconic children’s character is not the first to be given the horror treatment. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was released in 2023 after A.A. Milne’s original Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain.

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