David Howard Thornton, AKA “Art the Clown”, Cast as Horror Mickey Mouse
David Howard Thornton, celebrated for his role as Art the Clown, will portray a murderous version of Steamboat Willie. The film’s premise involves a late-night ferry ride that turns deadly when a mischievous mouse begins a rampage, targeting unsuspecting passengers. The movie aims to blend horror and comedy, providing a unique twist on the classic Disney character.
“I’m beyond excited to join this incredible cast and bring Steamboat Willie to life with a horror twist,” Thornton stated. “Screamboat is going to be a horrific and hilarious big-screen thrill ride that fans won’t want to miss.”
An Ensemble Cast of Horror and Comedy Icons
Joining Thornton in “Screamboat” are a mix of horror veterans and comedy icons, including Allison Pittel, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Jesse Kove, Rumi C Jean-Louis, Jarlath Conroy, and Charles Edwin Powell. This eclectic cast promises to bring a dynamic range of performances to the film.
Director Steven LaMorte expressed his excitement: “David Howard Thornton is bringing our mischievous and murderous take on Steamboat Willie to life like never before. I can’t wait for audiences to laugh and scream with us onboard ‘Screamboat!'”
Public Domain Horror Universe ?
The release of “Screamboat” follows the success of “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey,” a low-budget horror film that turned a beloved childhood character into a terrifying antagonist. This film made over $5 million despite poor reviews, showcasing the public’s appetite for such dark reinterpretations. “Screamboat” aims to capitalize on this trend, with plans for a cinematic universe featuring horror versions of other public domain characters like Pinocchio and Bambi already in the works.
“Steamboat Willie” entered the public domain on January 1, 2023, allowing creators to freely reinterpret the character. This shift has sparked a wave of creativity, with various projects reimagining classic characters in new, often darker contexts. As more beloved characters enter the public domain, we can expect to see a surge of similar horror adaptations.
The special effects for “Screamboat” will be handled by Christian Beckman’s Quantum Creation FX, Inc., known for their work on “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.” Concept artist Christian Cordella, who has worked on “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” is responsible for designing the film’s terrifying creatures. The film is being produced by Amy Schumacher, Martine Melloul, Steven Della Salla, and Michael Leavy, with Kali Pictures, Sleight of Hand Productions, Reckless Content, and Julien Didon serving as executive producers.
Release Date and Anticipation
“Screamboat” is set to sail into theaters in 2025, distributed by Iconic Events Releasing. With its unique blend of horror and comedy, the film is poised to attract a wide audience, eager to see how Mickey Mouse is transformed into a nightmarish figure.
While some fans may be apprehensive about this dark twist on a beloved character, the involvement of experienced horror veterans and a talented production team suggests that “Screamboat” has the potential to be a standout in the public domain horror genre.
As the film industry continues to explore the possibilities of public domain properties, “Screamboat” represents a bold and intriguing step forward. Whether it will live up to the hype remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: audiences are in for a thrilling ride.
