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Scarlett Johansson just joined Brad Bird‘s long-awaited Ray Gunn for Netflix. The sci-fi noir animated film marks the director’s first project in 8 years, arriving later this year with a star-studded voice cast.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release: Ray Gunn arrives on Netflix later in 2026 with a specific date still TBA
- Director: Brad Bird returns after Incredibles 2 in 2018, with this passion project 30+ years in the making
- Voice Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Tom Waits, and John Ratzenberger lead the ensemble
- Studio: Skydance Animation produced the film with Netflix handling distribution
The Announcement Stuns Animation Fans Worldwide
Netflix and Skydance Animation revealed the first-look images on April 9, 2026, showcasing its retro-futuristic aesthetic. The reveal sends shockwaves through the animation community. Ray Gunn is set in Metropia, a gigantic city imagined as 1939 envisioned the future. Flying cars and jetpacks dominate the skyline.
Brad Bird, the two-time Academy Award winner, finally brings this vision to life after conceiving it more than 30 years ago. The director describes it as blending sci-fi with classic detective noir, or as he puts it, ‘The Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers.’
Scarlett Johansson joins Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn animated film for Netflix
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Johansson Plays Pop Star Venus Nova in Crime Mystery
Scarlett Johansson voices Venus Nova, the world’s most famous pop star caught in scandal and danger. Sam Rockwell plays Raymond Gunn, a small-time private detective in an era when machines handle most detective work. The case connects aliens, murder, and the glamorous star.
Johansson called working with Bird a ‘career milestone,’ praising his artistic vision. Tom Waits, the Grammy-winning musician and Oscar nominee, rounds out the elite cast as Eyera, a one-eyed alien and Gunn’s trusted ally. John Ratzenberger also joins the voice ensemble.
Why This Adult Animation Pushes Creative Boundaries
| Element | Details |
| Animation Style | Art Deco-inspired, retro-futuristic design |
| Genre Blend | Sci-fi noir meets 1940s detective cinema |
| Setting | Metropia, futuristic city with flying cars |
| Target Audience | Adult viewers beyond typical animation demographics |
“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. Animation as a medium is too interesting to limit what kind of stories can be told.”
— Brad Bird, Director, Writer, and Producer
Bird Returns to Animation After Eight-Year Hiatus
Brad Bird last directed Incredibles 2 in 2018. His commitment to Ray Gunn shows his passion for expanding animation’s artistic potential. Netflix saw that potential too, choosing to exclusively partner with Skydance Animation for direct distribution. This arrangement spans multiple years and includes titles like Steps, featuring Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella.
Bird already plans Incredibles 3 for 2028, but Ray Gunn represents his most ambitious adult-oriented project yet. The film promises action sequences that appeal to all ages while exploring themes reserved for mature audiences.
Will Ray Gunn Redefine Netflix Animation in 2026?
Netflix proved animation’s streaming potential with KPop Demon Hunters winning the Animated Feature Oscar and becoming the platform’s most-watched movie of 2025. Ray Gunn arrives with even bigger ambitions. The combination of Johansson‘s star power, Bird‘s creative reputation, and Netflix‘s global reach could reshape how audiences perceive animated cinema.
Industry observers question whether Ray Gunn will attract viewers outside traditional animation audiences. Bird seems determined to answer that question definitively. First-look images hint at stunning visual complexity that justifies the project’s 30-year development timeline. The question now becomes when exactly 2026 audiences will finally see this passion project.
Sources
- Netflix Tudum – Official first look announcement and director interview with Brad Bird
- Variety – Cast announcement and Scarlett Johansson career milestone quote
- Deadline – Complete voice cast details and Skydance Animation production information
