A Mickey Mouse parody goes on a killing spree in the latest trailer forScreamboat, terrorizing a group of Disney princess look-alikes. From the producers ofTerrifier 2and3, theupcomingScreamboatmovieis a horror parody that reimagines a version of the beloved Disney mascot as a deranged killer, played byTerrifier’sArt the Clown actor David Howard Thornton. WithSteamboat Willienow in the public domain, director Steven LaMorte has transformed the classic black-and-white short into a blood-soaked nightmare aboard a New York City ferryboat.Screamboatis set to hit theaters April 2.
Now, thefinaltrailer forScreamboathas been released(viaVariety). Featuring a Disney-style font and a voice-over eerily similar to classic Disney trailers, the footage introduces Cindi, Bella, Jazzy, Arianna, and Rory, who share a passing resemblance to several iconic Disney princesses. As the group boards the Staten Island Ferry for a night of drunken fun, Cindi exclaims, “Let’s get this jungle cruise going!” But their carefree adventure soon spirals into terror.
What This Means For Screamboat
Mascot Horror Continues To Terrify
WithSteamboat Willieentering the public domain in 2024, filmmakers are quickly turning Disney’s earliest mascot into a horror icon.Screamboatjoins other projects likeI Heart WillieandTheMouse Trapinembracing the rising “mascot horror” trend, popularized by the “Poohniverse” series of indie slashers, which includes theupcomingBambi: The Reckoning. LaMorte is no stranger to this movement, having previously helmedThe Mean One, a viral horror parody ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.
After Mickey Mouse, All Other Major Characters & Franchises Who Lose Copyright In The 2020s
Mickey Mouse’s appearance in Steamboat Willie isn’t the only major character to lose copyright in the 2020s, with many famous examples soon to follow.
Wielding a blood-speckled harpoon,Steamboat Willie can be heard laughing maniacally as he hunts down each unsuspecting passenger. His iconic whistling, once a symbol of cheerful innocence, now echoes ominously throughout the Staten Island Ferry. Thornton’s killer mouse is up against a talented ensemble, including Allison Pittel, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Jesse Kove, Kailey Hyman, Rumi C Jean-Louis, Jarlath Conroy, and Charles Edwin Powell.Screamboatwill also feature cameos from notable figures such as Tyler Posey, Brian Quinn, and Joe DeRosa.
Our Take On Screamboat’s Latest Trailer
A Killer Mouse Can’t Save A Generic Slasher
The rise of mascot horror is just beginning, but it hasn’t had the strongest start. LaMorte’sThe Mean Onereceived just a 23% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, withThe Mouse Trapfalling even lower at 19%. WhileScreamboatcapitalizes on the novelty of a killer Steamboat Willie,it risks falling into the same pitfallsas past parody slashers that have failed to thrill audiences.
Aside from Thornton’spublic domain Mickey Mouse, which is sure to evoke his chilling turn asTerrifier’s Art the Clown,the film doesn’t appear to bring anything original to the genre. The trope of one-dimensional yet beautiful women being slaughtered has historically been overdone in slashers, andScreamboatdoubles down on it with five of them.Screamboatdoesn’t have a high bar to clear, but it seems like it’ll struggle to rise above it anyway.
