Josh O’Connor made headlines during his recent monologue on Saturday Night Live on December 13, 2023, by addressing speculation over his potential role as the character Alfredo Linguini in a live-action adaptation of the beloved film Ratatouille. The actor, known for his role in Knives Out: A Knives Out Mystery, expressed his lack of interest in the project while humorously reflecting on the unexpected attention.
During his opening remarks, O’Connor revealed that his mention of Ratatouille as one of his favorite films led fans to suggest he could portray the chef in a new version of the animated classic. He stated, “Like one time, I said that one of my favorite movies is Ratatouille, which is true, it’s a great film. But I suppose fans started pitching me as Chef Linguini for a live-action Ratatouille remake.”
The actor shared that he was unaware of this growing fan campaign until he learned that the president of Disney-Pixar had publicly declared there would be no live-action remake of Ratatouille, regardless of O’Connor’s interest. He humorously lamented, “Do you know how it feels to be publicly rejected from a job I didn’t even want?”
Despite his dismissal of the idea, O’Connor continued to weave references to the film throughout his monologue, demonstrating his playful engagement with the topic. “I’m already in the new Knives Out film — saying it out loud sounds like the perfect name for the live-action Ratatouille — but that’s neither here nor there,” he quipped, maintaining a light-hearted tone.
The actor also expressed his gratitude for hosting SNL during the festive season, describing the experience as “magical and joyous.” He humorously speculated about casting for other roles in a hypothetical live-action version, suggesting that the food critic Anton Ego could be played by Jeff Goldblum, adding, “I mean, who would play the food critic Anton Ego? Perhaps Jeff Goldblum. No, no, no, no. I mean, yes, but later.”
O’Connor’s comments not only entertained the audience but also highlighted the sometimes amusing disconnect between fan expectations and an actor’s actual career ambitions. As the conversation around a potential Ratatouille remake continues, O’Connor’s reaction serves as a reminder that not all casting suggestions hold weight in Hollywood.
