Brad Bird Says No to RATATOUILLE Sequel and Explains Why He Thinks the Story Is Finished
With Toy Story 5 in theaters and Incredibles 3 officially on the way, Disney and Pixar clearly aren't slowing down when it comes to revisiting some of their biggest franchises. That has naturally led fans to wonder which beloved Pixar movies could be next in line for a sequel.
One title that always comes up is Ratatouille. The Oscar-winning animated film remains one of Pixar's most beloved movies, and audiences have never stopped rooting for Remy, Linguini, and the rest of the charming cast of characters. But if director Brad Bird has anything to say about it, fans shouldn't expect a return to that world anytime soon.
During a recent interview with Collider, Bird was asked if he'd ever consider making a Ratatouille sequel. His answer couldn't have been more straightforward. In fact, he also shut down the idea of revisiting another one of his most celebrated films, The Iron Giant.
“No. I don’t. They’ve made little feints towards that to see how I would react. They’ll, like, crack a joke, but the joke will be a little bit serious, like, ‘Would you?’ And I’m like, ‘No, we told that story’,” Bird said.
Bird went on to explain why he's never been interested in extending stories simply because audiences loved them.
“Any time you do something that ends up connecting with people, they automatically think, ‘How about another?’ People have mentioned it about The Iron Giant, which is hilarious to me because the film didn’t succeed at all in its initial release.
“It’s caught up in time, but what would you do to follow that up? He’s lumbering around, still undiscovered? In other words, to me, that story is told,” Bird said.
It's easy to understand why Disney and Pixar would at least explore the possibility of another Ratatouille movie. The 2007 film wasn't just a critical favorite, it was also a major commercial success.
Produced on a reported $150 million budget, the movie earned more than $623 million worldwide and has only become more popular over the years. Remy has remained a familiar face across Disney parks, merchandise, and other Disney projects, showing that audiences still have plenty of affection for the tiny chef.
The same can be said for The Iron Giant, although its journey was very different. The animated classic struggled during its original theatrical run, earning just over $23 million worldwide against a reported $70 million budget.
Thankfully, the film found its audience over the years, growing into one of the most beloved animated cult classics ever made and earning the appreciation many felt it deserved from the beginning.
What's interesting is that both films arguably leave the door open for more stories. Ratatouille ends with Remy and Linguini successfully running their own restaurant, making it easy to imagine new culinary adventures for the pair.
Likewise, The Iron Giant concludes with the emotional revelation that the Giant is rebuilding himself after his sacrifice, creating an obvious opportunity for another chapter.
Even so, Bird sees both stories as complete, and it's hard to argue with a filmmaker who knows exactly where he believes his characters' journeys should end.
Of course, in today's Hollywood, it's probably unwise to say never. Studios love revisiting successful franchises, especially when audiences are eager for more. But for now, if a Ratatouille sequel or The Iron Giant follow-up ever happens, it doesn't sound like they'll have Bird leading the charge.