The latest trailer for Screamboat introduces a chilling new take on Disney’s iconic mascot, Mickey Mouse, transforming him into a deranged killer. The horror parody, from the producers of Terrifier 2 and 3, reimagines the beloved character as a bloodthirsty villain, portrayed by David Howard Thornton, the actor behind the infamous Art the Clown. With Steamboat Willie now in the public domain, director Steven LaMorte has turned the classic black-and-white short into a nightmare aboard a New York City ferryboat. Screamboat is set to hit theaters on April 2.
The new trailer presents a Disney-style font and a voice-over reminiscent of classic Disney movie trailers. The footage introduces five women—Cindi, Bella, Jazzy, Arianna, and Rory—who share striking similarities to popular Disney princesses. The group embarks on a carefree night out aboard the Staten Island Ferry, but their fun soon turns into a fight for survival. Cindi excitedly exclaims, “Let’s get this jungle cruise going!” before their adventure spirals into terror.
Mascot Horror: A Growing Trend
With Steamboat Willie entering the public domain in 2024, filmmakers are quickly adapting Disney’s earliest mascot into a figure of horror. Screamboat joins projects like I Heart Willie and The Mouse Trap, tapping into the rising “mascot horror” genre that has garnered attention through indie slashers like the upcoming Bambi: The Reckoning. LaMorte is no stranger to this trend, having directed The Mean One, a viral parody of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
In Screamboat, the deranged version of Mickey Mouse wields a harpoon, laughing maniacally as he hunts down passengers on the ferry. His iconic whistling, once a symbol of innocence, now sounds menacing as he terrorizes the unsuspecting group. Thornton’s portrayal of the killer mouse is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Allison Pittel, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Jesse Kove, Kailey Hyman, and others. Notable cameos will also appear, featuring Tyler Posey, Brian Quinn, and Joe DeRosa.
Can Screamboat Rise Above Past Mascot Horror Failures?
While the mascot horror genre is on the rise, it hasn’t seen a highly successful debut. LaMorte’s The Mean One received a meager 23% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Mouse Trap falling even lower at 19%. Screamboat capitalizes on the novelty of a killer Steamboat Willie, but it risks repeating the mistakes of past parody slashers that failed to leave a lasting impact.
Despite Thornton’s star power as a killer mascot, Screamboat appears to lean heavily on the tired trope of beautiful women being slaughtered, a theme that has become a staple in the slasher genre. The film’s reliance on this formula, with five women falling victim to the killer, could hinder its potential to stand out. While Screamboat doesn’t have a high bar to clear, it remains uncertain whether it can avoid the pitfalls that have plagued similar films in the past.
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