It seemed inevitable given the glut of movies based on popular characters that have recently entered the public domain, but a crossover none of us probably ever expected is coming our way. Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, two of the most beloved children’s characters of all time, are set to duke it out in a horror movie that is now in production. Get ready for Mickey vs. Winnie. Yes, really. We’ve even got the poster (which you can check out below) to prove it.
The folks at Untouchables Entertainment have partnered with the genre website iHorror on the film, which is currently filming. The film will craft new versions of A.A. Milen’s Winnie the Pooh as well as the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse, pitting them against one another in a bloody battle “where only one can survive.” Glenn Douglas Packard is set to direct the film from his own script script. It’s worth noting that there are not one but two other Steamboat Willie horror movies in the works, including Screamboat, which is due to hit theaters next year. The somewhat lengthy synopsis for Mickey vs. Winnie reads as follows:
“In the 1920s, two convicts escape into a cursed forest only to be dragged and consumed into the depths of the dark forest’s muddy heart. A century later, a group of thrill-seeking friends unknowingly venture into the same woods. Their Airbnb getaway takes a horrifying turn when the convicts mutate into twisted versions of childhood icons Mickey Mouse & Winnie-The-Pooh, and emerge to terrorize them. A night of violence and gore erupts, as the group of friends battle against their now monstrous beloved childhood characters and fight to break free from the forest’s grip. In a horrific spectacle, Mickey and Winnie clash, painting the woods in a gruesome tableau of blood—a chilling testament to the curse’s insidious power.”
Starting with last year’s Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, we’ve had a glut of recent horror films that are utilizing popular characters in the public domain. At this point, there are nearly too many to name off here. The producers of Blood and Honey have even launched plans for an entire shared universe of films dubbed the Poohniverse. This film, which is seemingly aiming to be the Freddy vs. Jason of public domain horror films, is just the latest to emerge from the trend.
Packard, who previously directed 2016’s Pitchfork, will produce alongside his creative partner Rachel Carter. Anthony Pernicka is also producing. Packard had this to say about it:
“Horror fans call for the thrill of witnessing icons like the new Aliens and Avengers sharing the screen. While licensing nightmares make such crossovers rare, Mickey vs. Winnie serves as our tribute to that thrilling fantasy.”
“We’re thrilled to unveil this unique take to horror fans,” Pernicka added. “The Mickey Mouse featured in our film is unlike any iteration audiences have encountered before. Our portrayal doesn’t involve characters donning basic masks. Instead, we present deeply transformed, live-action horror renditions of these iconic figures, weaving together elements of innocence and malevolence. After experiencing the intense scenes we’ve crafted, you’ll never look at Mickey the same way again.”
Mickey vs. Winnie does not currently have a release date but stay tuned.
