A chilling first look at the Mickey Mouse-inspired horror film has been unveiled.

The beloved Disney icon is set to be transformed into a horror star in the new movie Screamboat. Disney retains all exclusive rights to its depiction of Mickey Mouse, however the character seen in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie entered the public domain in 2024. It now means that specific version of Mickey Mouse can be used by non-Disney productions.

Discussing Film shared on Twitter: "First look at Steamboat Willie, played by Art the Clown actor David Howard Thornton, in a new 'STEAMBOAT WILLIE' horror movie. In theaters in April." An image of Thornton donned in a grotesque grey mouse costume, complete with oversized Mickey Mouse-style ears has been released.

The Terrifier star's face was hidden behind prosthetics, including a mouse nose, long whiskers and grey skin with folds and wrinkles around his eyes. The character of Steamboat Willie sported a large black hat, grubby grey trousers and held a pole with his rat-like hands, adorned with long grey talons.
The movie is based on Steamboat Willie

Despite Thornton's impressive transformation, the images received a mixed response from critics who pleaded for an end to the trend of "public domain horror movies". One person responded to the tweet saying: "Can we stop Public Domain Horror movies right now? !" Another added: "First Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, now this. We just turning everything from the past into a horror movie now[? ]"

A third person commented: "What's with all the Disney horror movies lately? lol." Someone else shared: "I get the compulsion to reuse iconic media once it hits public domain, but why does it always have to be a horror movie? I mean, I guess it's a little better than some other "adult" entertainment, but still....", reports the Daily Star.

Some viewers have labelled the horror remake as "laughably bad," "bizarre" and "lame," with one person simply wishing the film "good luck". Previously, Bloody Disgusting announced the film's release on Twitter: "The short film that introduced Mickey Mouse to the world, 1928's Steamboat Willie, entered the public domain this year and a horror movie adaptation is already on the way."

"David Howard Thornton (Terrifier) will star in SCREAMBOAT as the murderous mouse!" Hollywood actor David Howard Thornton is known for his role as Art the Clown from the Terrifier franchise. Mickey Mouse isn't the only childhood classic to receive a horror makeover.

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey was announced after the copyright for the famous character ended. Director Rhys Waterfield adapted the characters for the new film. In the trailer, a grown-up Christopher Robin returns to the 100-Acre Wood after abandoning it when he grew up. While he was gone, Pooh and Piglet become resentful and now are hungry for blood. While creators are free to use the original works of the author, Disney still owns the rights to the cartoon versions of Winnie the Pooh.

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