Two horror films and a video game featuring Mickey Mouse were announced just hours after Disney’s earliest versions of the cartoon character entered the public domain in the US.
It means the early versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse featured in the film – their first screen release – can be used without incurring a cost.
Image: A poster for Steamboat Willie Pic: Snap/Shutterstock
Mickey’s Mouse Trap, a slasher film that features imagery from Steamboat Willie, is expected to be released in March.
Its trailer has been released on YouTube, with the caption claiming the movie is the “first ever live-action Mickey Mouse comedy horror feature film”.
The movie follows 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.
A masked killer dressed as the children’s character decides to play a sinister game with the group.
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They are seen enjoying the amusement arcade before one says: “There’s blood all over the jungle gym.”
Image: A scene from Mickey’s Mouse Trap
A clip from Steamboat Willie plays before the masked killer grabs one of the young women from behind.
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The text on the screen says: “A place for fun. A place for friends. A place for hunting. The mouse is out.”
Director Jamie Bailey said: “We just wanted to have fun with it all.
Image: Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie Pic: Snap/Shutterstock
“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.”
A second Mickey Mouse-inspired horror is set to be made by director Steven LaMorte, who previously directed a horror parody of The Grinch.
“A late-night boat ride turns into a desperate fight for survival in New York City when a mischievous mouse becomes a monstrous reality,” is the logline for the untitled film, as posted on LaMorte’s Instagram.
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“Steamboat Willie has brought joy to generations, but beneath that cheerful exterior lies a potential for pure, unhinged terror,” LaMorte told US publication Variety.
“It’s a project I’ve been dreaming of, and I can’t wait to unleash this twisted take on this beloved character to the world.”
Meanwhile, a video game called Infestation: Origins inspired by the early Mickey Mouse has also been slated for release in 2024 by company Nightmare Forge Games.
Steamboat Willie was directed by Walt Disney and his partner Ub Iwerks, and shows the cartoon figure captaining a boat and making musical instruments out of other animals.
Slasher film Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey was released last year after A A Milne’s original storybook about a bear who loves honey, released in 1926, entered the public domain in the US in January 2022.
An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.
MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.
The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.
The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.
There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.
While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.
One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.
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Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.
Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.
The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.
Image: Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.
While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.
Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault – which reportedly took place on the set of EastEnders.
The alleged incident happened on the set of the BBC soap at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, according to The Sun newspaper.
Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man in his 50s was arrested after the report in Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood, on 7 May.
The man is accused of sexual assault and common assault in relation to two victims, the force said.
The suspect is on bail while inquiries continue, police added.
EastEnders said in a statement: “While we would never comment on individuals, EastEnders has on-site security and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the safety and welfare of everyone who works on the show.”
BST Hyde Park festival has cancelled its final night after Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra pulled out of the headline slot.
Lynne, 77, was due to play alongside his band on Sunday but has been forced to withdraw from the event following a “systemic infection”.
The London show was supposed to be a “final goodbye” from ELO following their farewell US tour.
Organisers said on Saturday that Lynne was “heartbroken” at being unable to perform.
A statement read: “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.
“The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today – and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”
They later confirmed the whole of Sunday’s event would be cancelled.
“Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details,” another statement said.
Stevie Wonder played the festival on Saturday – now its final event of 2025.
US rock band The Doobie Brothers and blues rock singer Steve Winwood were among those who had been due to perform to before ELO’s headline performance.
The cancellation comes after the band, best known for their hit Mr Blue Sky, pulled out of a performance due to take place at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on Thursday.
ELO was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne, multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan.
They first split in 1986, before frontman Lynne resurrected the band in 2014.