Mickey Mouse horror film in the works as copyright for the iconic mouse expires

A trailer for a new Mickey Mouse horror film has just been released following the first 24 hours of the copyright for the iconic mouse expired.

The copyright on Disney’s 1928 short Steamboat Willie has expired in the US on New Year’s Day, 95 years after it was released.

Anyone can now rework the image of Disney's most famous mouse. Artists can use these earliest versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, seen in their first screen release, without it incurring a cost.

Among these new mouse iterations is a new trailer for a Mickey Mouse slasher film, Mickey's Mouse Trap.

The movie follows the movements of a group of young people who have thrown a surprise 21st birthday party for their friend, who is doing a late shift at an amusement arcade while a masked killer dressed as the children’s TV and film character decides to play a sinister game with the group of friends.

Director Jamie Bailey said of the film: “We just wanted to have fun with it all.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.”

Mickey's not the first childhood character to be given the horror movie treatment.

When Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain, the loveable bear was turned into the R-rated horror film Blood and Honey, which was one of last year's worst-rated films.

Disney has faced losing the copyright over its original cartoons several times in the past with the characters first expected to go into the public domain in 1984.  However, Congress extended the term by 20 years.

Before the next expiry date came up in 2004, another 20-year extension was passed.

Disney's efforts to protect its characters have even led to the law being dubbed "the Mickey Mouse Protection Act". But the moment finally came, and was hailed as being "deeply symbolic" by experts.

Mickey’s Mouse Trap does not yet have a release date but it is expected to come out some time in March.