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Freed from Disney’s grasp, Mickey version goes on murderous rampage

Horror movie-makers quick to cash in on iconic mouse entering public use domain
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This still image from video provided by Disney shows the character Mickey Mouse in the 1928 animated short “Steamboat Willie.” On Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain after the expiration of the 95-year copyright, and is already the focus of two horror films. (Disney via AP)

The earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, barely two days in the public domain.

Slashed free of Disney’s copyright as of Monday, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” is already the focus of two horror films. On Monday, just hours after the 1928 short entered the public domain, a trailer for “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” dropped on YouTube.

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