Despite beginning his carrer as an Editor, it is his innovation and talent which made Dean Fleischer-Camp an award-winning Filmmaker and New York Times Best-Selling Author. Together with Actress/Comedian and Author Jenny Slate, he crafted the beloved Character Marcel the Shell, which would go on to become a viral sensation.

The tiny anthromorphic seashell with one single eye and a gentle spirit, has charmed audiences around the world in a series of YouTube Shorts and a Book, and now comes a Stop-Motion Animated Featured made a in Mockumentary style, giving the little guy a huge platform for the rest of the world to fall in love with him as well.

It was wonderful chatting with Fleischer-Camp about MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON, which he directs, co-writes, produces and also appears in. It was also just announced today he will be directing the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film! After garnering universal acclaim on the Festival circuit and in limited release, the Film now expands wide this weekend.

We ask Fleischer-Camp about his own reaction to the amazing reactions MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON has received. Even icon Cher has sung its praises on Twitter!

Fleischer-Camp: “It’s been amazing. It’s been so fun to talk with people and sorta surreal for me. I don’t know if you’ve ever worked on something for seven years in a vaccum, but I remember when we premiered it at Telluride and we started hearing laughter and crying. It was just so moving and surprising. That joke I told three-and-a-half years ago is really funny and gets a big laugh. It’s thrilling. The memes people have been making and I’m just so grateful for the entire experience.”.

Fleischer-Camp talks about whether or not from the start it was his and Jenny Slate‘s intention to explore the prism of life through Marcel, seeing how the Film ponders mortality and life.

Fleischer-Camp: “The first Short was made in 48 hours. Jenny and I wrote it very quickly. She improvised and I crafted the Character very quickly. It was all a rush and we did it on a whim. What we realized once we saw the response and we made a few more Shorts, was that this Character is so much richer and deeper than he appears. There was so much more to explore about him. There was such a rich, inner-life and it always feel like a total pleasure to write for this Chracter and create stories for him. I feel like I’m just as moved and inspired by him and his circumstances and approach to life as anyone.”.

The Film touches upon life and death, and he’s asked about the choice to explore darker themes.

Fleischer-Camp: “You can’t really have the happines and nectar of life if you haven’t processed the grief of it. I was interested in portraying pain, grief and loss, which are an inherent part in the cycle of life. You can’t create the new growth without death and decay. Those things enrich the soil that growth sprouts from.”.

Fleischer-Camp talks about the decision to release the Film independently after having had early talks with bigger studios about expanding Marcel the Shell‘s Brand.

Fleischer-Camp: “When something goes viral on the Internet, you can get meetings with Studios. They want to license your Character to make something that’s more familiar, a tent-pole movie or a franchise. Going through that process, it was really recognizable. I was really young and they’re not going to trust me and I realized I’m going to have to make this Movie indpendently and it’s going to take a long time. We found right supporters creatively and financially that could expand Marcel, holistic to the Character that we made.”.

He isn’t quite sure yet what the future might hold for Marcel the Shell, but does drop a hint.

Fleischer-Camp: “I don’t know what the future holds for Marcel, but I hope a lot. After the Film comes out, the audience that might want to see a Sequel, more Shorts or a TV Series or what. I’ll continue to explore the Character in a way that’s fun, cool and chill for me and Jenny. We created this whole community only in the last three minutes of the Movie – spoiler alert. I was so sad watching it, how we’ve fleshed-out all these great characters, including Canuck Nathan Fielder as Voice Talent. I hope we get a chance to explore those characters as well. Is Canuck a slur or a bad word?”.

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON expands Friday, July 15, 2022 via Elevation Pictures in Canada.

Coming right off its premiere at SXSW ’22, MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON is set to arrive in theatres this Summer! See the new Trailer!

Synopsis:

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 new hope at finding his long-lost family. A beloved character gets his big-screen debut in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connections in the smallest corners.

Elevation Pictures release MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON this Summer.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Jenny Slate and Charlie Day team-up on Rom-Com I WANT YOU BACK, coming soon to Prime Video.

Synopsis:

Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) are total strangers, but when they meet, one thing instantly bonds them: they were both unexpectedly dumped by their respective partners, Anne (Gina Rodriguez) and Noah (Scott Eastwood), on the same weekend.  As the saying goes, “misery loves company,” but their commiseration turns into a mission when they see on social media that their exes have happily moved on to new romances, Anne with Logan (Manny Jacinto) and Noah with Ginny (Clark Backo).  

Terrified that, in their 30s, they have lost their shot at happily ever after and horrified at the prospect of having to start over, Peter and Emma hatch a desperate plot to win the loves of their lives back.  Each will do whatever it takes to put an end to their exes’ new relationships and send them running back to their arms. 

They’ve also created some funny Memes to get you pumped!

Prime Video release I WANT YOU BACK February 11, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video)

We loved the first one! We’re delighted to show you the new Trailer for THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2!

Synopsis:
The Secret Life of Pets 2 will follow summer 2016’s blockbuster about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy will produce the sequel to the comedy that had the best opening ever for an original film, animated or otherwise.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 will see the return of writer Brian Lynch (Minions) and once again be directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me series, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax). www.thesecretlifeofpets.com

Cast: Lake Bell, Hannibal Buress, Dana Carvey, Harrison Ford, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Pete Holmes, Garth Jennings, Ellie Kemper, Nick Kroll, Bobby Moynihan, Patton Oswald, Jenny Slate, Eric Stonestreet

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures Canada release THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 Friday, June 7, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

“We all have our demons.”.

We get our First Look at Tom Hardy in Marvel’s VENOM in this new Teaser. We also get a quick glimpse of Michelle Williams as Anne Weying!

Synopsis:
One of Marvel‘s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award® nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom.

See the new Teaser Trailer:

See the Artwork:

Sony Pictures Canada release VENOM Friday, October 5, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures)

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to take Readers in Toronto + Vancouver to see LANDLINE in Toronto (8/3/17) and Vancouver (8/9/17).

SYNOPSIS:

When two sisters suspect their father (John Turturro) may be having an affair, it sends them into a tailspin that reveals cracks in the family façade. For the first time, older sister Dana (Jenny Slate), recently engaged and struggling with her own fidelity, finds herself bonding with her wild teenage sister Ali (Abby Quinn). The two try to uncover the truth without tipping off their mother (Edie Falco) and discover the messy reality of love and sex in the process. Set in 1990s Manhattan, LANDLINE is a warm, insightful and comedic drama about a family united by secrets and lies, co-written and directed by Gillian Robespierre (OBVIOUS CHILD).

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. For an extra chance, “favourite” this Tweet at @mrwillw on Twitter.

Elevation Pictures release LANDLINE Friday, August 11, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will and thrilled to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of the touching GIFTED! Our Amanda Gilmore had a chance to screen this already and loved it! Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO
Thursday, April 6th Scotiabank Toronto 7:00PM

VANCOUVER
Monday, April 10th Cineplex Cinemas Metropolis 7:00PM

CALGARY
Monday, April 10th Scotiabank Chinook 7:00PM

EDMONTON
Monday, April 10th Cineplex South Edmonton 7:00PM

OTTAWA
Monday, April 17th Scotiabank Ottawa 7:00PM

Synopsis:
Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man raising his seven-year-old niece Mary (Mckenna Grace). Although she was home schooled and would prefer to keep being taught at home, Frank decides to send Mary to school.

Her teacher, Bonnie (Jenny Slate), quickly realizes Mary is a mathematical genius and tells Frank. She and the principal tell Frank his niece would be better off at a school for gifted youngsters. Frank refuses, saying he promised his sister he would give Mary a normal life.

When Frank‘s mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) finds out, she disagrees with Frank and decides to petition the court to get custody of Mary. Frank, who loves Mary deeply and wants to do what’s best for her, fights to retain his rights to raise his little niece.

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate your City. For an extra chance, click “share” on this Post from there or “favourite” this Post on Twitter: @mrwillw.

Fox Searchlight release GIFTED Friday, April 7, 2017 in select cities.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Toronto’s own Michael Cera is back in town. While on a break filming Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin‘s directorial debut Molly’s Game, alongside the likes of Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba and Kevin Costner, he made time today to promote his work in upcoming Animated Feature THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE. The Blockbuster has him voicing the titular character’s sidekick Robin.

The 28-year-old known best for his acclaimed work on Series Arrested Development and Films like Superbad, Juno, This is the End, Sausage Party and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, did the rounds in the City pretaping several interviews in advance of the Film’s release next week.

See a Trailer below:

While we’ve met Cera a few times before, we never got the Selfie until today. He was more than nice to stop in the cold and check-in to see how I was doing.

See our Snap:

I 😍 #MichaelCera. The Toronto actor is currently promoting #LegoBatmanMovie.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jan 30, 2017 at 9:23am PST

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Friday, February 10, 2017.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

This looks absolutely adorable! Ever since I saw the Trailer for THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS last fall, it’s been on my mind. What makes it unique is that it captures all the adorable “ham” things about our pets that we love, answering the undying question, “What do our pets do when we’re out at work??!?”. Anyone who’s ever owned a pet will relate right away when seeing this.

Synopsis:
For their fifth fully-animated feature-film collaboration, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures present The Secret Life of Pets, a comedy about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day.

Comedy superstars Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart make their animated feature-film debuts in The Secret Life of Pets, which co-stars Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress and Albert Brooks. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy produce the film directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2), co-directed by Yarrow Cheney and written by Brian Lynch and Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio.

See the brand new Trailer!

Universal Pictures Canada release THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS on Friday, July 8, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

I’ve seen it and loved it. Many of you might remember Funnywoman Jenny Slate from Parks & Recreation or her Stand-up Comedy, but the former Saturday Night Live Alumni is doing it on her own terms now. Her latest Film, Obvious Child, directed and written by Gillian Robespierre,  is sure to win your heart with its pure wit, charm and cuteness.

The Comedy centers around a young Woman named Donna whom after a drunken night finds herself pregnant with Max‘s (Jake Lacy) baby. Unable to bring herself to tell him, he continues trying to court her, which complicates matters because he has many of the attributes she finds desirable in a Partner.  She worries her revealing her pregnancy will change things.

Slate after a grueling weekend stranded in Dallas, made her way to Toronto today and did a round of Press on the Morning Show Circuit with visits to KISS 92.5, CP24 Breakfast, CITY‘s Breakfast Television and more!  Unfortunately a majority of her interviews scheduled for the afternoon were cancelled due to exhaustion, but she still made time for Fans tonight at a special Advance Screening of Obvious Child.  The Actress also walked the Red Carpet last night at the MuchMusic Video Awards and reportedly is smitten by Prime Ministerial Candidate Justin Trudeau, whom she ran-into at Breakfast Television!

I caught-up with Slate at a taping earlier, and despite being in a rush she made a quick exception to snap a Photo.  She’s even bubblier and cuter than imagined!  And she’s in-love reportedly with my Billy too!

See our Snap:

Watch the Trailer for OBVIOUS CHILD below:

Fox Searchlight release OBVIOUS CHILD on Friday, June 20, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/A24 Films)