Franquin’s mythical animal gets a second life on the big screen in 2026 under the direction of Philippe Lacheau. Simply titled Marsupilami, the film brings together big names in French cinema (Philippe Lacheau, Élodie Fontan, Jamel Debbouze, Tarek Boudali, Booder, Jean Reno, Didier Bourdon, Alban Ivanov).
This new project inevitably raises the comparison with the now cult version by Alain Chabat in 2012 which was based on a perfect balance between visual gags and memorable lines in the style of “Les Nuls”. We found a choice cast (Alain Chabat, Fred Testot, Lambert Wilson, Géraldine Nakache, Patrick Timsit and Jamel Debbouze who plays the role of Pablito Camaron, the clumsy Palombian guide, in both films).
Focus on the 35th album
This cinematic interlude is an opportunity to highlight the release of Marsupilami’s 35th album from Dupuis. Created by André Franquin in 1952 in the series Spirou et Fantasio, the Marsupilami is a yellow mammal with black spots that lives in the fictional state of Palombia somewhere in the Amazon. Its prehensile tail, which is around 8 meters long, allows it, among other things, to move around to escape its predators.
This is also the theme of this new album which is titled: The Last Hunt[1].
Indeed, the five best hunters in the world are sent to Palombia by a mysterious sponsor to capture a marsupilami! Backalive, Estefania Forbalez, Léon de Bourgogne, Parhavi and Violette Delacourt will use all stratagems to capture the beast who will make life difficult for them.
Will they succeed in accomplishing their mission?
A trio of authors for a rhythmic adventure
Luc Collin, known as Batem, who has been the designer of the series since 1987. As always, he wows us with the acrobatics of the marsupilami in the middle of the Amazon jungle. Stéphan Colman, the official screenwriter of the series, has given way this time to a well-known duo from youth comics, namely Kid Toussaint and Ced. The two screenwriters succeed in their bet by introducing us to a fast-paced adventure.
Between them: Batem, Kid and Ced create a funny and thrilling marsupilami adventure.
The multiple lives of the Marsupilami
In addition to its own series, the Marsupilami regularly makes appearances in the Spirou and Fantasio series. It has been adapted in recent years into an animated series. More recently Zidrou and Frank Pé revisited the Marsupilami mythology in a slightly more realistic version. Published in two volumes between 2020 And 2023, The beast is a monumental comic book of over 350 pages (combined).
Reda Benkoula
[1] Marsupilami – Volume 35 – The Last Hunt | Batem (Drawing), Kid Toussaint and Ced (Scenario), Cerise (Colors)| Dupuis | 2026 | 56 pages
