Actor Patton Oswalt has expressed interest in reprising his role as Remy in a potential Ratatouille sequel, provided director Brad Bird returns with a compelling narrative. While Pixar is currently expanding franchises like Incredibles and Monsters Inc., Ratatouille remains one of the few major hits from the studio without a follow-up, despite earning $623 million at the global box office in 2007.
Why has Ratatouille remained a standalone film?
Pixar has built its reputation on original storytelling, often resisting the pressure to create immediate sequels. According to Patton Oswalt, speaking on The Daily Beast’s “Obsessed” podcast, the creative process at the studio relies heavily on the director’s personal vision rather than executive mandates. Oswalt noted that an Incredibles sequel only moved forward once Brad Bird identified a story worth telling.
When adjusted for inflation, Ratatouille’s original $623 million global gross is equivalent to roughly $1 billion in today’s market, placing it among the most successful films in Pixar’s library.
What would it take to greenlight a sequel?
Oswalt clarified that he is not interested in forcing a sequel just for financial gain. He emphasized that any follow-up must feel “organic” rather than a result of filling a studio’s legal pad with ideas. Drawing a comparison to iconic sequels like Terminator 2 and Aliens, Oswalt argued that a successful Ratatouille continuation would need to expand the story into new dimensions rather than simply repeating the themes of the original 2007 film.
The creative bar for Pixar franchises
The studio’s approach to franchising has shifted over time. While Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3 are currently in development, these projects typically follow years of internal deliberation. Ratatouille, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, remains a high-water mark for the studio, earning further nominations for its score, sound editing, and original screenplay.
Industry trends in animation sequels
Major studios are increasingly prioritizing established intellectual property (IP) to mitigate financial risk. Data from 2007 shows Ratatouille was the sixth highest-grossing film of that year, a performance that would typically trigger an immediate sequel in the current landscape. However, Pixar’s strategy often prioritizes the director’s creative autonomy, a precedent set by Bird’s long gap between his own franchise entries.
Keep an eye on Pixar’s development slate. When a director who previously helmed a stand-alone hit returns to the studio for a project, it often signals that the studio is revisiting its classic catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a Ratatouille sequel in production? No, there is currently no official announcement regarding Ratatouille 2.
- Would Patton Oswalt return? Yes, Oswalt has publicly stated he would love to return as Remy if Brad Bird is involved.
- Why hasn’t there been a sequel yet? According to Oswalt, the studio avoids “inorganic” sequels and waits for the director to find a story that requires an expansion.
What do you think? Should Pixar revisit its classic standalone films, or is it better to leave them as they are? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on your favorite animated franchises.
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