The Screamboat Mickey Mouse Is Already Giving Me Nightmares!

David Howard Thornton is going to terrify us again!

The first image of David Howard Thornton as the Screamboat Mickey Mouse, i.e Steamboat Willie, has been released and it is the stuff of nightmares!

For those unaware, Steamboat Willie is the original version of Mickey Mouse. The character’s rights became public domain about a year ago, allowing him to be used by anyone.

What a gloriously grotesque creation! Obviously, the filmmakers wanted — and legally needed — to make their monster look significantly different from the modern version of Micky Mouse.

The only similarities that I see are the giant ears and his buttoned pants. He’s also wearing a hat that resembles the one worn by the original Steamboat Willie.

Willie is a hairy beast! It is just me, or does his face and torso resemble a sasquatch? He does have those long mouse whiskers, though.

Another Horrorized Pop Culture Icon

I’m glad that the image includes a bench in the background, so we can get a sense of Willie’s height. He’s clearly going to be a tiny terror along the lines of Chucky and Warwick Davis’s leprechaun.

And what is that weapon in his hand? A spear? A pole? Whatever it is, I wouldn’t want to be on the other end of it. I have a feeling that this movie is going to feature lots of creative demises.

I’m intrigued to see how Thornton plays this character. He’s excellent as Art the Clown, but I’m hoping that he’ll give a unique performance as Willie. Bill Skarsgard’s performance as Orlok in Nosferatu is vastly different from his interpretation of Pennywise in It, and I love that.

Screamboat is going to be released on January 24th. Judging by this image, it’ll be a treat!