Will There Be a Ratatouille 2? An In-Depth Exploration

As a passionate fan of animated films, few struck me quite like the original Ratatouille in 2007. The story of Remy pursuing his cooking dreams against all odds despite being a rat dazzled with imagination, heart, and visual splendor. It instantly became a modern Disney/Pixar classic in my books.

So of course over the years I and many other fans have inevitably wondered – will we ever get a Ratatouille sequel? Could we return to Remy‘s world for another serving of culinary delight? Let‘s analyze the outlook for Ratatouille 2 with some facts, comparisons, and inject a little necessary fan hope along the way.

Why There Likely Won‘t Be a Ratatouille 2

Unfortunately, the prospects look slim for fans like myself hoping to see the Ratatouille universe expanded. There are a few key reasons that creating a sequel seems an unlikely scenario:

Director Brad Bird‘s Reluctance

The first and perhaps biggest obstacle standing in the way of Ratatouille 2 is the original film‘s director Brad Bird. He shepherded the unique concept into an acclaimed final product, but has bluntly stated he sees no need to revisit it:

“I feel like that story is told. I don’t like to just crank out more of the same thing unless I feel like I’m exploring something new… No one apparently wants anything new anymore. They just want the thing they had before.”

This isn‘t entirely surprising coming from Bird – as director of other beloved animated films like The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille itself, he has historically focused his efforts on original concepts over sequels.

Outside of a long gap between Incredibles films caused by his split focus with live action efforts like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Bird doesn‘t turn to sequels often. And given he‘s publicly turned down returning to Ratatouille despite its success, he seems firmly against revisiting Remy‘s completed underdog tale.

Story Limitations

On top of Bird‘s reluctance, the narrative arc of the first Ratatouille also poses problems for continuing the story organically.

By the original film‘s end:

• Remy‘s cooking talents have been revealed and embraced
• He opens his own popular restaurant in Paris
• The villainous Chef Skinner is deposed
• Even notoriously caustic food critic Anton Ego is charmed

With conflicts resolved and character arcs seemingly completed, where could a sequel pick up and take things?

Most hypothesized Ratatouille 2 plots I‘ve seen amongst fans involve introducing new external threats – a new villain, a dishonest business partner, Remy‘s secret threatened again. But these feel derivative; it risks dulling the spark of what made the first film‘s angle so novel and creative.

Without an ambitious vision that respects thesatisfying resolution of the original, a sequel could struggle to stand out beyond coasting on affection for the characters and Parisian atmosphere.

Track Records of Sequels vs. Originals

Looking at patterns beyond just Bird‘s filmography also spells caution around proceed with Ratatouille 2.

In recent decades, Disney and Pixar have shifted heavily towards sequels for animated franchises. And while sometimes lightning can strike twice, such as with Toy Story 2 and 3, often critical and fan reception pale compared to the original. For every Finding Dory, there is a Cars 2.

While no film has matched the original Ratatouille‘s 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, its $620 million box office showing also wasn‘t amongst Pixar‘s absolute highest grossers. So a follow-up may still prove lucrative enough.

However, the risk of eroding the first film‘s stellar reputation could give Disney executives pause. With Toy Story being Pixar‘s most "sequel-proof" crown jewel franchise, why risk diminishing such a popular original story?

From a business standpoint, an all-new concept could prove safer for building a new franchise than revisiting a respected one-off.

Where Fan Hopes for Ratatouille 2 Lingers

However, despite all the reasons why Ratatouille reaching audiences‘ plates again could seem unlikely – perhaps there is still hope amongst us loyal fans. A few glimmers make me cling to wishes of a return to Remy‘s Paris one day:

Continued Fan Demand

In OVER 15 YEARS (or any latest data) since its release, Ratatouille has if anything only grown more beloved. Its world feels tailor-made for expansion compared to many other acclaimed animated films.

Perhaps if fan demand reached fever pitch, it could sway Pixar to reassemble key creative talent like Brad Bird to revisit the concept. Directors have been lured back for sequels after long absences before, like in Finding Dory‘s Andrew Stanton.

Online movements like change.org petitions or hashtag campaigns could show executives the lucrative potential. While fulfilling fan wishes alone rarely greenlights major films, our voices can‘t hurt!

Unique Sequel Potential

While I‘ve acknowledged narrative challenges in continuing Remy‘s story, that doesn‘t make imaginative sequels impossible. A satisfying sequel hook could still involve him mentoring a younger rat prodigy or travelling abroad to learn new cuisines.

Or possibly the right creative forces could craft a sequel not focused on Remy but expanding the universe, like the Star Wars franchises move to shows about new characters like The Mandalorian. The rich world of Paris cuisine could support new protagonists.

And if all else fails, perhaps Pixar‘s knack for animated shorts could revisit Remy in bite-size form!

Disney‘s History of Late Sequels

For evidence a Ratatouille sequel after extensive delays isn‘t impossible – we need only look at Disney‘s own catalog.

Consider acclaimed films like Mary Poppins or Tron receiving sequels decades later in Mary Poppins Returns and Tron: Legacy once the brand recognition and fan nostalgia had time to grow.

Or the live-action 101 Dalmatians receiving a 1996 remake and 2000 sequel 102 Dalmatians long after the 1961 animated original.

Though sequels face skepticism without original talent involved, Disney at least has a track record of exploiting their animated classics‘ longevity given enough time.

So perhaps I‘ll be retirement age by the time we receive word Ratatouille 2 is cooking – but that glimmer of possibility lives on!

The Verdict: Never Say Never

Analyzing all factors, it‘s hard not to be realistic – the odds seem overwhelmingly stacked against ever seeing the continuing adventures of Remy and his culinary comrades in a Ratatouille sequel. Without Brad Bird‘s blessing and definitive plans from Disney/Pixar, fans cling more to hopes than reasonable expectations.

Yet it feels equally short-sighted to close the door completely. In the fickle world of Hollywood, stranger things have happened! Evolution in distribution models like Disney+ streaming could make riskier sequel prospects viable. Fresh creative forces could envision new tales worthy of joining the Ratatouille brand. Fan passion has a way of being heard eventually.

My verdict? We almost certainly won‘t…but we may still. For now, I‘ll choose to stay optimistic that cinema‘s best rat chef hasn‘t served up his last surprise. Not until Remy‘s legacy has fully marinated for years to come!

Did I miss or gloss over any considerations around sequel prospects? As a fellow animation admirer, let me know your thoughts on what the future could hold! Until then, I‘ll be rewatching my Ratatouille Blu-Ray and keeping the sequel hopes simmering.