Pixar is working on a follow-up to “Ratatouille,” Jeff Sneider disclosed on the most recent episode of The Hot Mic. At the time, representatives denied it, but it was a long time ago.
Yes, the adored Parisian rat chef is supposedly receiving a second course, over twenty years after he originally squeaked his way into the kitchen.
The project appears to be in the early stages of production at Pixar, according to Sneider, who has continuously been ahead of the curve with industry scoops. In any case, the sequel’s very existence validates what many industry insiders have long suspected: Pixar is returning to its roots.
Pixar, which has been putting more of an emphasis on sequels and legacy IP than ever before, is continuing this trend. With “Inside Out 2” dominating last year’s global box office and surpassing the $1.7 billion mark, Pixar has made the decision that its future may simply depend on the past. Up next are “Toy Story 5,” “Incredibles 3,” and “Coco 2.”
And truthfully? It makes sense. Even if their recent original films (such as “Elemental,” “Onward,” “Luca,” “Turning Red,” and “Elio”) have their aficionados, none have managed to fully reclaim the prestige and financial hegemony of Pixar’s heyday in the 2000s. “Coco” was the only one who really made the landing.
The studio’s present approach begins to appear less like nostalgia-bait and more like survival when you combine it with Disney’s identity dilemma in the streaming era and a theater audience that has become more and more eager for sequels.
Nevertheless, “Ratatouille” is revered. Many people believe that Brad Bird’s 2007 picture is one of Pixar’s best; it is a masterful blend of visual and emotional beauty that only gets better with time. Going back to that world is a risky proposition. Although Bird’s involvement is unknown at this time, it’s difficult to avoid wondering if the sequel runs the risk of eschewing the original’s quiet, pounding heart in favor of something louder, wider, and safer without him.