Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille has finally arrived in the U.K., scurrying into 416 theaters to claim the weekend’s widest opening. Timed with the week-long school holiday that served Finding Nemo so well, the release features the voice of popular British TV chef Jamie Oliver as the voice of the health inspector character, a role originated by Pixar animator Tony Fucile. The pic should do well despite competition from the rugby World Cup semi-final game between England and France. Marketers are even playing off the match to help sell the film, which takes place in Paris.
Ratatouille will be accompanied by an anti-piracy short film that Pixar produced specially for the film’s U.K. prints. Featuring Ratatouille characters, the piece will run along with the trailers before the feature presentation. The animated food flick should easily beat fellow openers Resident Evil: Extinction form Sony Pictures, The Nanny Diaries from Paramount Pictures and Mr. Brooks from Verve Pictures.
Since opening in North America in late June, Ratatouille has earned nearly $204 million domestically and $450 million worldwide. The family pic was particularly strong in France, where it debuted to $16 million, the biggest opening of any animated feature ever released in the country.
