Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing animated films on the horizon. Unveiled at Deadline’s Contenders London, the long-gestating project blends noir mystery, retro-futurist worldbuilding and a rare optimistic vision of tomorrow—while still embracing danger, desperation and murder at its core.
For viewers tired of every future-set story feeling bleak, Ray Gunn offers something different: a dazzling alternate future where humans and aliens coexist in a towering metropolis imagined through a 1939 lens. With a voice cast led by Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits, plus music from Michael Giacchino and original songs by Kimbra, the Netflix and Skydance Animation feature is already generating serious buzz in the Tv & Video space.
Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn Reimagines the Future
Speaking in London, Bird explained that Ray Gunn was born from a desire to push back against the idea that the future must always be dystopian. Instead of presenting collapse and ruin, Bird’s film explores a more idealized setting without ignoring the darker parts of human nature.
That contrast is central to the movie’s appeal. The world of Metropia features:
- Buildings more than a mile high
- Humans and aliens living side by side
- A glamorous, stylized retro-future aesthetic
- A classic private-eye mystery at the heart of the story
Bird’s approach suggests that utopia and conflict are not opposites. Even in a polished, visually stunning world, people can still deceive, betray and kill. That tension is what gives Ray Gunn its dramatic edge.
What Ray Gunn Is About
Set in the massive city of Metropia, Ray Gunn follows private investigator Raymond Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell. He becomes entangled in a murder case involving Venus Nova, a multimedia superstar voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
The setup evokes classic detective fiction, but the backdrop gives it a fresh identity. Rather than a standard noir city of shadowy alleys and cigarette smoke, Bird imagines an alternate tomorrow inspired by early 20th-century ideas of what the future could look like. That makes Ray Gunn feel both nostalgic and inventive.
A Cast Built for Character-Driven Animation
The announced cast immediately adds weight to the project:
- Sam Rockwell as Raymond Gunn
- Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova
- Tom Waits in the voice ensemble
Rockwell’s unpredictable charisma makes him a strong fit for a private eye, while Johansson’s voice work could bring elegance and mystery to Venus Nova. Tom Waits’ inclusion also hints at a richly textured tonal palette, likely leaning into the film’s smoky noir atmosphere.
A 35-Year Journey to the Screen
One of the most compelling details about Ray Gunn is its unusually long development path. Bird described the film as a passion project that stretches back 35 years—though he was quick to clarify that the movie was not in active production that entire time.
Instead, the project was attempted years ago, stalled due to financing, then set aside as Bird moved on to direct major animated landmarks including The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Over time, the opportunity returned, and Bird finally brought the concept back from what he described as the “deep freeze.”
That history matters. It suggests Ray Gunn is not a trend-chasing studio play, but a deeply personal film that has survived changing market tastes, shifting technology and years of industry uncertainty.
Michael Giacchino’s Score Could Be a Major Draw
Another reason Ray Gunn stands out is the musical ambition behind it. Composer Michael Giacchino revealed that the production embraced vintage recording methods to help build the film’s sonic identity.
The score reportedly includes:
- Microphones from the 1920s and 1930s
- Recording sessions at Abbey Road
- An 80-piece orchestra
- Selective use of vintage synthesizers
Rather than relying on synthetic spectacle, Giacchino emphasized an organic emotional core. That approach fits the film’s retro-future premise perfectly, grounding the fantasy in a tactile soundscape.
Kimbra’s Songs Add Star Power to Venus Nova
Giacchino also highlighted the contribution of New Zealand artist Kimbra, who wrote and produced original songs for Venus Nova. That detail suggests Johansson’s character may be more than a plot device—she could be a fully realized performer within the story’s world.
If executed well, those songs could become one of the film’s signature features, helping define Ray Gunn as both a mystery and a musically rich cinematic experience.
Why Ray Gunn Could Be a Big Animation Event
There are several reasons industry watchers are paying attention to Ray Gunn:
- Brad Bird’s track record gives the project immediate prestige.
- The visual concept feels distinct in a crowded animation market.
- The voice cast blends star appeal with offbeat personality.
- The noir structure offers something rarer in mainstream animated features.
- The music strategy points to high artistic ambition.
At a time when many animated releases chase familiar formulas, Ray Gunn appears determined to carve out its own identity. Its mix of old Hollywood inspiration, futuristic design and emotional storytelling could make it one of the most original streaming-era animation launches.
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Final Take on Ray Gunn
With its retro-futurist setting, noir detective plot and decades-long creative history, Ray Gunn already looks like far more than another animated release. Brad Bird is pairing visual imagination with emotional stakes, while Michael Giacchino and Kimbra add a musical layer that could elevate the film even further.
If the final result delivers on its promise, Ray Gunn may not just stand out for its style—it could become a defining example of how animation can revisit the future with optimism, mystery and soul.
