Mickey Mouse Horror Films Announced as Disney Copyright Expires

Later, more sophisticated iterations of Mickey Mouse, such as those seen in 1940 Disney feature 'Fantasia,' are not in the public domain, and cannot be copied. Robyn Beck / AFP/File
Later, more sophisticated iterations of Mickey Mouse, such as those seen in 1940 Disney feature 'Fantasia,' are not in the public domain, and cannot be copied. Robyn Beck / AFP/File
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Mickey Mouse Horror Films Announced as Disney Copyright Expires

Later, more sophisticated iterations of Mickey Mouse, such as those seen in 1940 Disney feature 'Fantasia,' are not in the public domain, and cannot be copied. Robyn Beck / AFP/File
Later, more sophisticated iterations of Mickey Mouse, such as those seen in 1940 Disney feature 'Fantasia,' are not in the public domain, and cannot be copied. Robyn Beck / AFP/File

Oh boy! Barely 24 hours after Disney's initial copyright on Mickey Mouse expired, two new indie horror films starring the beloved character have been announced.
"Steamboat Willie," the first Disney movie to feature Mickey, entered the public domain under US law on Monday, 95 years on from its initial release.
That means anyone is now free to copy, share, reuse and adapt the primitive, early versions of the characters that appear within the film, including Mickey and his girlfriend Minnie.
Despite warnings from Disney that it would seek to safeguard its most iconic character, opportunistic filmmakers had been expected to quickly announce their own unofficial remakes and adaptations -- and they did not disappoint.
"Mickey's Mouse Trap" will feature a masked killer dressed as Mickey stalking a group of young friends through an amusement arcade, while another untitled horror-comedy sees a sadistic mouse tormenting unsuspecting ferry passengers.
"We just wanted to have fun with it all," said "Mickey's Mouse Trap" director Jamie Bailey, in a trailer posted on YouTube.
"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 low-budget horror-comedy is expected to launch in March.
Meanwhile filmmaker Steven LaMorte -- known for "The Mean One," a 2022 slasher romp inspired by The Grinch -- is working on his own "twisted take" on Mickey.
"'Steamboat Willie' has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror," he said in a press release.
Production on the untitled film is due to begin this spring.
Both projects are reminiscent of "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey," a micro-budget slasher film that drew headlines last year after the copyright on the first A.A. Milne books expired.
Analysts say Disney will be watching closely, and is likely to send in the lawyers if anyone oversteps.
Only the earliest, black-and-white version of Mickey is in the public domain -- not the colorful character from later Disney films like "Fantasia."
And trademark protections mean that any film or product that could mislead consumers into thinking it was made by Disney could be liable.
"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," said a Disney statement.
But LaMorte told Variety he was not concerned.
"We are doing our due diligence to make sure there's no question or confusion of what we're up to," he said.
"This is our version of a public domain character."



Beyonce Delivers a Rousing Kickoff to Her 'Cowboy Carter' Tour

Beyonce, shown here performing with her daughter Blue Ivy during an NFL game on Christmas Day 2024, is the artist with the most Grammys ever. Alex Slitz / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Beyonce, shown here performing with her daughter Blue Ivy during an NFL game on Christmas Day 2024, is the artist with the most Grammys ever. Alex Slitz / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
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Beyonce Delivers a Rousing Kickoff to Her 'Cowboy Carter' Tour

Beyonce, shown here performing with her daughter Blue Ivy during an NFL game on Christmas Day 2024, is the artist with the most Grammys ever. Alex Slitz / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Beyonce, shown here performing with her daughter Blue Ivy during an NFL game on Christmas Day 2024, is the artist with the most Grammys ever. Alex Slitz / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

Singer Beyonce launched her "Cowboy Carter" stadium tour on Monday, rolling through "Texas Hold 'Em" and other country-inspired hits and sharing the stage with her two daughters.

Beyonce opened the nearly three-hour show at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles with "American Requiem," appearing in an all-white cowboy outfit with long fringe on the sleeves as dancers in red performed around her, Reuters said.

For her cover of Dolly Parton classic "Jolene," Beyonce sat on a lighted horseshoe that floated above the crowd. She rode a gold mechanical bull for "Tyrant" and flew through the air in a red car while holding an American flag for "16 Carriages."

Beyonce's 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, joined the backup dancers for several songs, including "Ya Ya" and "America Has a Problem." She strutted down a long runway to lead a dance to "Deja Vu," flipping her hair as she turned to walk back.

Seven-year-old Rumi Carter appeared on stage while Beyonce performed the lullaby "Protector." She waved both hands to the crowd and turned around to give her mom a hug.

"Cowboy Carter" earned Beyonce her first album of the year Grammy in February. It was viewed by experts and fans as a reclamation and homage to an overlooked legacy of Black Americans within country music and culture.

"I want to thank all of those who came before me that allowed me to be on this stage today," Beyonce said at Monday's show. "I want to thank you my fans for allowing me to make this album. Thank you for giving me the creative liberty to challenge myself."

Beyonce also performed hits including "Formation,Cuff It" and "Crazy in Love" from previous albums.

The tour, called the Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour, is scheduled to run through July in the US and Europe.

Many fans went all in on the cowboy theme, wearing Western hats, cowboy boots and rhinestone-studded denim. Beyonce thanked the crowd before ending with the song "Amen."

"I feel so overwhelmed," Beyonce said.