Farrell, Horror, and Disney Come Together
Screamboat, the April 2025 horror film from Fuzz on the Lens Productions, sees Steamboat Willie (pictured), who terrorizes passengers on the Staten Island Ferry one night. (Photo: Amazon Prime)
How the public domain and a classic character led to alumnus' Disney-flavored horror film
There's a movie perfect for this time of year that combines Staten Island, horror, and...Mickey Mouse? Mix those elements, and you get Screamboat.
Screamboat features Mickey Mouse, but perhaps not the version many are familiar with. As of January 1, 2024, the iconic, beloved character entered the public domain. The public domain is when creative works and ideas are not protected under copyright, trademark, or patents. In the United States, a work must be published for at least 95 years, or 70 years for modern works, before it enters the public domain.
With Mickey Mouse now in the public domain, any creator can use the character in their stories. However, they are only permitted to use the version of Mickey Mouse and other characters from 1928’s animated short Steamboat Willie. On April 2, 2025, a horror-comedy adaptation of the 1928 classic hit theaters with Screamboat.
The antagonist in Screamboat is based on the original version of Mickey Mouse, seen here in his 1928 classic short film Steamboat Willie.
The film is about a monstrous, murderous mouse named Steamboat Willie, who terrorizes those aboard a late-night ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Those aboard must come together in hopes of surviving Steamboat Willie's brutality.
Steamboat Willie is played by David Howard Thornton, the same man who portrays Art the Clown in the Terrifier films.
Screamboat also has plenty of Monsignor Farrell connection to it. The film is directed, produced, and co-written by Steven LaMorte, '07. Michael Leavy, '08, served as one of the producers of the film with his production company, Fuzz on the Lens Productions. Leavy also appears in the film as Deckhand Bert Brunswick. Impractical Joker Brian "Q" Quinn, '94, makes a cameo appearance as Mitch McEverly.
Members of the Screamboat cast come together at the film's Manhattan premiere in March 2025. From left: Producer and actor Michael Leavy, '08, producer and actress Amy Schumacher, producer, actor, and cinematographer Steven Della Salla, '08, and director, producer, and writer Steven LaMorte, '07. (Photo: SILive)
Furthermore, Monsignor Farrell is referenced early in the film when the character Neil, played by Jared Johnston, mentions how he was a six-year varsity baseball player and utters the words "Go Farrell Lions!"
The film makes references to the Walt Disney Company and its history throughout the film. It pays homage to Walt Disney through the mention of Ferry Captain Walter. In addition, a quintet of women, celebrating a birthday, dressed as Disney princesses.
Screamboat is free to stream on streaming services Amazon Prime, Tubi, Pluto TV, the Roku Channel, and Fandango. A sequel titled Screamboat 2: Nothing Stays Dead is officially in development. The sequel is set to expand the cliffhanger from the first installment, with the introduction of a monstrous version of Minnie Mouse.
If you are looking for a scary thriller with laughs and New York mischief, make sure to check out Screamboat.
The Lion is Monsignor Farrell's student digital newspaper. To read more articles from The Lion, click here.