Dean Fleischer Camp’s Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is based on the viral stop-motion animated shorts of the same name, which have garnered over 50 million views on YouTube since their 2010 debut. In the shorts, Jenny Slate voices the most adorable shell in the world, who’s interviewed in his home by a documentary filmmaker about his life. The film adaptation, which premiered last year at Telluride, takes that premise in meta directions after Marcel becomes a viral sensation and sets out to find his family.
According to A24: “Marcel is an adorable one-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. But when a documentary filmmaker discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope at finding his long-lost family. A beloved character gets his big-screen debut in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection in the smallest corners.”
In addition to Jenny Slate, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On also stars Isabella Rossellini, Dean Fleischer-Camp, Thomas Mann, Rosa Salazar, and the “fearless” Lesley Stahl as herself. The film is written by Fleischer-Camp, Slate, and Nick Paley.
See the trailer below:
A24 will release Marcel the Shell with Shoes On June 24.
Since 2001, we've brought you uncompromising, candid takes on the world of film, music, television, video games, theater, and more. Independently owned and operated publications like Slant have been hit hard in recent years, but we’re committed to keeping our content free and accessible—meaning no paywalls or fees.
If you like what we do, please consider subscribing to our Patreon or making a donation.