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While there are very few sure things in the movie business these days, Pixar is a studio that can be counted on both for outstanding quality and for big-time box office. Over the years, the studio has released five feature-length CGI-animated films that have progressively attained loftier and loftier theatrical returns (not to mention turning a highly lucrative profit on DVD and video). Most recently, Finding Nemo grossed $850 million worldwide before going on to garner an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. And who was the primary beneficiary of all this success? Why, the Walt Disney Company, of course.

After months of contentious negotiations, Pixar removed itself from under the thumb of the Mouse House. At that point, it had two movies remaining under its Disney contract -- The Incredibles and Cars -- but the animation studio was looking to negotiate a substantially more profitable contract with a new distribution company. In the end, though, they reconciled with Disney, and made arrangements for Ratatouille to be released under their distribution banner during the summer of 2007.

The film will tell the story of the many adventures of a rat named Ratatouille who makes his home in an upscale Parisian restaurant that is ruled by a strange but world-famous chef. Amusingly, ratatouille is actually a French dish that is made from eggplant, zucchini, onions, peppers, tomatoes and garlic. It's simply ingenious to use the word as the name of the titular character.

Like all of the other Pixar films that will precede it, Ratatouille will be created completely in CGI animation. The joyous Paris location along with the colorful world of French cuisine should make for some marvelous scenery and detail. Possibly the best news of all is that the movie will be directed by Brad Bird, who we love both for The Iron Giant and The Incredibles. Having his clever mind at work for this story will be a huge boon for both Pixar and Disney. (Kim Hollis/BOP)

Vital statistics for Ratatouille Main Cast Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano Supporting Cast Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Peter O'Toole, Brad Garrett, Janeane Garofalo, Will Arnett, Julius Callahan, James Remar, John Ratzenberger, Teddy Newton, Tony Fucile, Jake Steinfeld, Brad Bird, Laurent Spelvogel Director Brad Bird Screenwriter Brad Bird Distributor Walt Disney Pictures Rating G Screen Count 3,940 Awards Awards page for Ratatouille Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for Ratatouille
Title	Date	Opening	Adjusted Opening	Screens	PSA	Adj PSA	Total BO	Adjusted Total	Mult
Finding Nemo	5/30/03	70.25	70.25	3374	20821.00	20821.0	339.71	339.71	4.84
Monsters, Inc.	11/2/01	63.48	67.75	3237	19611.00	20131.6	255.87	273.09	4.03
Toy Story 2	11/24/99	57.39	68.39	3236	17735.00	20248.6	245.82	292.94	3.05
Ice Age	3/15/02	46.30	48.13	3316	13966.00	13966.0	176.39	183.39	3.81
Shrek	5/18/01	42.35	45.20	3587	11805.00	12118.4	267.65	285.66	6.32
Bug's Life, A	11/25/98	32.83	42.20	2686	12223.00	15115.9	162.79	209.29	3.56
Toy Story	11/24/95	29.14	40.39	2457	11860.00	15813.3	191.78	265.84	4.90