Brad Bird's Long-Awaited Animated Film "Ray Gunn" Set for 2026 Release

"Ray Gunn," an animated neo-noir sci-fi film directed by Brad Bird, is set to premiere on Netflix in 2026. The film, which has been a passion project for Bird for over 30 years, features a star-studded voice cast including Sam Rockwell as Raymond Gunn, Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova, and Tom Waits as Eyera. The story unfolds in Metropia, a sprawling city envisioned as an alternate future from 1939, where private investigator Raymond Gunn becomes embroiled in a case involving aliens, murder, and a multimedia star.

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Originally conceived in the early 1990s, "Ray Gunn" was shelved following the merger of Turner Feature Animation and Time Warner. Bird's subsequent projects included "The Iron Giant" and "The Incredibles." The film was officially revived in 2022, allowing Bird to step away from directing "Incredibles 3" to focus on this long-cherished project. Bird co-wrote the screenplay with Matthew Robbins, blending elements of classic detective films and sci-fi genres, describing it as "The Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers."

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"Ray Gunn" is produced by Skydance Animation, with key figures including John Lasseter, Lisa Beroud, David Ellison, and Dana Goldberg. Bird has emphasized his desire to expand the audience for animated films, stating, "There’s a big chunk of people who don’t watch animation. That’s a group I’m anxious to persuade because it’s an amazing art form that is way too limited in people’s minds." The film's production budget is reported to exceed $150 million, highlighting its ambition within Netflix's growing slate of animated features.

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The film's voice cast features Rockwell, Johansson, and Waits, all of whom bring unique qualities to their characters. Rockwell portrays Raymond Gunn, the last human private detective, while Johansson voices Venus Nova, a glamorous star entangled in scandal. Waits lends his voice to Eyera, an alien character. Johansson expressed her excitement about collaborating with Bird, calling it a "career milestone" and noting the film's significance in Bird's artistic journey.

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Bird has articulated his vision for "Ray Gunn," stating, "The film is a blend of sci-fi and classic detective movies from the ’40s... it’s a chance to play with a lot of very cinematic elements, and extreme characters." Johansson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the project's uniqueness and its potential to captivate audiences.

Netflix Unveils First Look at Brad Bird’s ‘RAY GUNN’: Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits Join Voice Cast

As anticipation builds for its 2026 release, "Ray Gunn" is positioned to be one of Netflix's most significant animated offerings. The film aims to challenge perceptions of animation as a storytelling medium and attract a broader audience. With its ambitious narrative and high-profile cast, "Ray Gunn" is expected to make a substantial impact upon its debut.

Netflix Reveals First Look at Brad Bird’s Passion Project

• “RAY GUNN has been in my mind for over 30 years. The film is a blend of sci-fi and classic detective movies from the ’40s…it’s Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers. I’ve been a fan of both of those sort of genres, and blending them together seemed fun, and a chance to play with a lot of very cinematic elements, and extreme characters.” — Brad Bird, Director

Ray Gunn: Get a first look at Brad Bird’s retro-futuristic animated film noir

• “Having the opportunity to collaborate with Brad Bird is a career milestone for me; I have loved his work my entire life.” — Scarlett Johansson, Voice of Venus Nova

Brad Bird's Ray Gunn Brings Sci-Fi Noir to Netflix With Star Cast

• “Animation as a medium is too interesting to limit what kind of stories can be told.” — Brad Bird, Director

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"Ray Gunn" represents a significant milestone in Bird's career and the animation landscape, promising a unique blend of genres and a compelling narrative for audiences worldwide.

Brad Bird's Ray Gunn Brings Sci-Fi Noir to Netflix With Star Cast