Days after entering the public domain, the earliest version of Mickey Mouse from the 1928 animated short “Steamboat Willie” is the subject of two upcoming horror films., Associated Press reports.
The first film, titled “Mickey’s Mouse Trap,” released a trailer on YouTube, featuring a menacing Mickey terrorizing young people at an arcade. Another untitled film directed by Steven LaMorte was announced, with the logline describing a late-night boat ride turning into a fight for survival in New York City when a mischievous mouse becomes monstrous reality.
With the expiration of the 95-year copyright, only the initial versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse are free to use. The filmmakers are taking precautions to avoid legal issues with Disney, which still holds the rights to more modern versions of Mickey Mouse.