A second, as-yet-untitled horror film centered on Steamboat Willie, the earliest iteration of Disney’s beloved children’s character Mickey Mouse, is in the works from director-producer Steven LaMorte and the producers of Terrifier 2, the team announced on Tuesday.
News of the project comes just a day after Steamboat Willie’s entry into the public domain. The first horror pic centered on the character, the Jamie Bailey-helmed slasher Mickey’s Mouse Trap, unveiled a new trailer yesterday, which you can view at the link below. Also emerging following the character’s public domain debut was the announcement of new indie horror video game Infestation 88.
LaMorte’s Steamboat Willie horror comedy watches as 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? In addition to LaMorte, producers include Amy Schumacher and Martine Melloul — his collaborators on holiday horror The Mean One — as well as Steven Della Salla and Michael Leavy of Terrifier 2 fame. Production is set to kick off this spring.
In a statement on his new film, LaMorte observed that “Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror.” His project is one he’s “been dreaming of,” he said, “and I can’t wait to unleash our twisted take on this beloved character to the world.”
In an interview on the film, the director emphasized that the impetus behind the project is a simple “love” of Disney’s iconic characters. “Filmmakers — we’re all kids in the sandbox. We love taking our toys and playing with them in different ways,” he said. “It’s not a desire to ruin these characters or make a quick buck, but to honor them and show them in a new light.”
Even as Steamboat Willie enters the public domain, later and more well known iterations of Mickey Mouse will remain at the disposal of Disney alone for the time being, the company has clarified. “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,” said a spokesperson. “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, and we will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.”