'Marcel The Shell' Now A Book, Becoming A TV Show

Once just a shell with just a lentil for a hat and a Dorito for a hangglider, Marcel is now the proud owner of a new book and a television development contract. Not too shabby for a tiny animated creature who skis on a man's toenail.

Brought to life in a stop motion animated YouTube video made by Dean Fleischer-Camp and former "SNL" actress Jenny Slate, who gave him his squeaky, lovable voice, Marcel has been watched nearly 12 million viewers. The national attention earned Slate and Fleischer-Camp a deal for a series of children's books, with the first title slated for release on November 1st. Jezebel interviewed the two creators about the book, and buried in the conversation was a very notable piece of news.

"There's definitely more Marcel coming and yes, we are in the development process of a TV show," Slate said. "The future's open for him. I think we'll do as much with him as we can until either he changes for us or there isn't anything more to say. But for now, there's so much more to say. There's so much more about Marcel that we haven't even told you yet. I don't even know if I can say it! Marcel has some pretty amazing talents that he's really proud of and there will be a lot more."

What adventures could a show bring? Will Marcel leave his gentle home? Will he venture to the sea to find fellow shells? Get a dog? Time will only tell. To read the rest of the interview, as well as excerpts from the book, click over to Jezebel.

Comments

[hugatree]

01:56 PM on 11/24/2011

Best thing I've seen since Mr. Bill :)

[Vanessa1129]

05:34 PM on 10/05/2011

Ick! The lil shell is not cute.

[Edvardo]

10:43 PM on 10/04/2011

BRILLIANT !
Can't wait for the Macy's balloon!

[Humbert]

03:09 PM on 10/04/2011

I feel about this voice as I feel about child actors, and that is that they should not speak.

[Scottcluthe]

02:46 PM on 10/04/2011

it was "cute" until the giant bottle of coke. The I noticed how really it's an older woman's voice that's being tweeked, and well,...... oh well, .......diaper changes are in the rear view mirror.

gurrr, gurr, goo goo. Bring back White Fang, Black Fang !

[wolverine mags]

11:17 AM on 10/04/2011

Neat!

[sigh-ence]

09:48 AM on 10/04/2011

AAahhh I will watch every episode. I can't get enough of that little shell.

[Catherine Lynch Monks]

08:02 AM on 10/04/2011

Oh ick.

[Neapolitan]

08:00 AM on 10/04/2011

I would imagine a lot of people won't like this--after all, there's no laugh track to tell them when they should chuckle--but I think Marcel is awesome. Easily the most entertaining stop-motion character since, er, Gumby. Or Wallace & Gromit. Or Mr. Bill... And the voice just kills...

[77nation]

07:11 AM on 10/04/2011

My children tried to get me to believe that I was the only one on the planet who found this annoying rather than endearing. Will admit though, Marcel The Shell with shoes on is kinda fun to say...

[michelleobamaok]

03:06 AM on 10/04/2011

Uh, that's annoying, not cute.

[gdatomic]

01:49 AM on 10/04/2011

um. yawn. (Doesn't do much for me.)

[Burton Wash]

01:31 AM on 10/04/2011

Another one of these lib cartoons designed to turn our kids into libs.

[kapalabhati]

06:27 AM on 10/04/2011

Ohfercrissakes.

[Tommygun264]

06:38 AM on 10/04/2011

Run! Protect yourself! Keep running. No, we can still see you, keep going.

[Michael J Kane]

01:19 AM on 10/04/2011

Is it me or does this seem like something I would find on Adult Swim. I still love it but, still.

[Clare53]

12:58 AM on 10/04/2011

I love, love, love Marcel.