Film
Over the years, Pixar has tallied several big wins. The animation studio’s success and longevity can be tied in part to the creatives behind the films, as well as the visionaries who know when it’s time to return for a sequel. Sequels are part of the studio’s bread and butter, but not all creations get…
Over the years, Pixar has tallied several major victories. The animation studio’s success and longevity can be tied in part to the creatives behind the films, as well as the visionaries who know when it’s time to return for a sequel. Sequels are part of the studio’s bread and butter, but not every creation gets one. Fans have been clamoring for a follow-up to Ratatouille to no avail. The film’s director has just revealed why a sequel has never happened, and probably never will.
Brad Bird doesn’t think there’s a second story for Remy
Brad Bird is the mastermind behind it Ratatouille. The famed director recently sat down for a chat and openly discussed the legacy of the famous animated film and how fans have reacted to the lack of a follow-up to Remy. In a chat with ColliderBird said Pixar has floated the idea of returning to the kitchen, but he’s passed on it each time. Bird claims so Ratatouille is one of the films he has directed that was completed when the credits rolled.
The director noted that just because a film resonates with an audience doesn’t automatically mean it needs a sequel. He has been selective about which successors he is willing to entertain throughout his career. Although he has signed for some, he just isn’t there when it comes down to it Ratatouille. Bird believes that the story has been told and that there is nothing left to go back to. While it feels natural to want more, given the beloved nature of the film, Bird’s point lands. Ratatouille ends with Remy, Linguini and Colette running a new restaurant together, called La Ratatouille, where rats work in a hidden kitchen upstairs and humans eat downstairs. While another film could technically follow that journey, it would likely feel too similar to the original.
Patton Oswalt is not opposed to returning
While Brad Bird is completely against the idea of delving back into Remy’s life on the big screen, voice actor Patton Oswalt is not. Oswalt, who fans probably remember from The King of Queensvoted Remy for the 2007 film and has been praising it ever since.
During a podcast appearance, Oswalt said he would be happy to vote Remy again if Ratatouille 2 was ever made. However, his announcement came with a major caveat. Oswalt said he was not interested in a “cash grab.” The actor revealed that he would only return if the story felt authentic and important. With Bird having no interest in conjuring up a new story, it looks like that dream won’t happen.
While Bird’s reasoning makes a lot of sense, we can understand why Oswalt and the production studio would be interested in returning for a second go-round. Ratatouille was both a critical and commercial success, grossing five Oscar nominations and wins Best Animated Feature. The film grossed more than $623 million worldwide, surpassing its $150 million budget several times over. Remy has remained a fixture of the Disney brand, appearing across parks and projects. The beloved rat even has a dedicated ride in Disneyland Paris and in Epcot in Florida. By almost any metric, it looks like prime sequel material. Still, Pixar probably wants Bird’s buy-in first, and they just won’t get it.
