Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was a special movie which had the misfortune to be released in what was easily one of the best years for animation ever. But I’d call it every bit as good as the other great animated films of 2009, put it there a pedestal next to Up. It deserves to be there, if only for its opening sequence, easily one of the best intros to an animated film ever.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs succeeded by being a film by a lot of people, and those people may get the chance to do it again. Pajiba is running a rumor in which they claim Sony Animation is putting Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 into development. The sequel would be based in part on the original book’s sequel, Pickles to Pittsburgh. Does that mean they’ll call the sequel Cloudy with a Chance of Pickles? Somehow it doesn’t have the same ring to it.

If the rumor turns out to be true (and for now it’s totally unconfirmed gossip) then Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller will return for the followup. If they follow the story of Pickles to Pittsburgh, the sequel will involve a return to Chewandswallow where Flint Lockwood’s food rain is now being used to feed hungry people around the world.

In case you’ve forgotten just how good Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was, here's a reminder: