Brad Bird rejects Ratatouille sequel despite Pixar interest
DIRECT ANSWER: Director Brad Bird has rejected a Ratatouille sequel despite Pixar's interest, telling Collider: "No, we told that story." Voice star Patton Oswalt would return as Remy only if Bird finds an organic idea—but the filmmaker insists the 2007 Paris rat-chef tale is complete, even as Pixar franchises hits like Toy Story and Coco.
Key Takeaways
- Brad Bird told Collider he has no interest in Ratatouille 2, despite Pixar executives probing him about a follow-up over the years.
- Patton Oswalt said on the Obsessed podcast he would love a sequel—but only if Bird conceives an idea he "cannot get away from."
- The 2007 original grossed about $623 million worldwide and earned multiple Oscar nominations, including best animated feature.
- Bird is still developing a third Incredibles film for Pixar while his noir Ray Gunn heads to Netflix via Skydance Animation.
- Vulture contrasts Bird's stance with DreamWorks' planned Shrek 5 and Donkey spinoff.
Why Did Brad Bird Reject a 'Ratatouille' Sequel?
In a Collider interview published Thursday, Bird shut down sequel speculation around the Oscar-winning Pixar film he wrote and directed in 2007. When asked whether he wanted to make Ratatouille 2, he answered plainly: "No, I don't."
He said Pixar leadership has made "little feints" over the years—half-joking, half-serious nudges like "Would you?"—to gauge his interest. His response to the studio has been consistent: "No, we told that story." Variety and The Hollywood Reporter both reported his remarks this week.
Bird framed the refusal as creative, not personal. "Any time you do something that ends up connecting with people, they automatically think, 'How about another?'" he said. He compared the situation to The Iron Giant, arguing some stories do not need a second chapter.
What Did Patton Oswalt Say About Returning as Remy?
The split between director and star is the heart of this story—and why Patton Oswalt matters here. Oswalt, who voiced Remy in the original, recently revived sequel chatter on The Daily Beast's Obsessed podcast.
"Obviously, I'd love if there was a Ratatouille sequel," Oswalt said. But he stressed he would not pitch gimmicks himself: "I don't wanna be the guy going, 'Hey, what if Remy did this?'"
Instead, he wants Bird to arrive at an idea organically—like the long gap before Incredibles 2. "So if he gets an idea, that's the one I wanna do," Oswalt said. He warned against sequels born from "legal pads" and franchise math, calling that approach "inorganic."
Could Pixar Make 'Ratatouille 2' Without Brad Bird?
Neither Pixar nor Disney has announced plans for a follow-up. Bird's comments are currently the clearest signal that a sequel is unlikely unless he changes his mind.
That matters because Pixar has aggressively sequelized beloved properties. Toy Story 5 just opened in theaters, Coco is getting a follow-up, and Inside Out 2 became 2024's highest-grossing title. Ratatouille remains a rare modern Pixar hit without a part two.
Bird, meanwhile, is not walking away from Pixar entirely. He is developing a third Incredibles movie and told Collider he "could see another Incredibles film." His latest project, the animated noir Ray Gunn, was made outside the studio with Skydance Animation and is slated for Netflix.
How Does This Fit the Animated Sequel Debate?
Future Tech & AI Wonders often tracks how studios use franchises to extend IP—and Bird's refusal is a notable counterexample. Vulture pointed to DreamWorks scheduling Shrek 5 for 2027 and a Donkey prequel for 2028 while Bird blocks more Parisian rat adventures.
The writer called Bird's "succinct stories" ethos "a beautiful sentiment" but argued audiences might welcome more of Remy's world. For now, fans of the 2007 original will have to settle for rewatches—and Oswalt's hope that Bird someday finds an idea he cannot ignore.