If you’re someone who’s been looking forward to the rush of public domain character-inspired horror films hitting our screens this year, you’re in luck: you can now watch the first four minutes of I Heart Willie, the new slasher inspired by the first-ever Mickey Mouse short created by Walt Disney.
Shot on location in Michoacán, Mexico, I Heart Willie is directed by Alejandro G. Alegre from a script by producer David Vaughn, who also stars in the film as Willie himself, alongside Maya Luna, Micho Camacho, Sergio Rogalto, and Daniela Porras. The film’s logline is as follows:
Popular YouTubers Daniel and Nico are invited to investigate a haunted property drawn by rumors of a malevolent force. The legend centers around a boy born with deformities, resembling a human-mouse hybrid, who inspired Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie. Abused and isolated, the boy, now known as Willie, crafts a bodysuit from the skins of trespassers. Over the years, his gruesome legacy fades into folklore—until a series of disappearances sparks renewed interest. As Daniel and Nico set up for a night of thrills, they unknowingly step into a deadly game of survival.
“We're thrilled to bring I HEART WILLIE to audiences everywhere,” says executive producer Princeton Holt. “This film was made with the fans in mind, and we can't wait for it to be an unforgettable experience—packed with scares, thrills, and a great time for everyone. We are confident I HEART WILLIE will become a cult classic, leaving fans talking long after the credits roll. By the way, speaking of end credits, don’t leave too early, or you might miss something.”
The film will be coming to theaters for a single night only on February 26, with tickets available now on I Heart Willie’s website. Check out the first four minutes of the film down below:
