Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell Lead Star-Studded Voice Cast for Brad Bird’s ‘Ray Gunn’

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After more than 30 years in development, Brad Bird’s long-awaited passion project Ray Gunn is finally coming into focus. Netflix and Skydance Animation have officially unveiled the film’s lead voice cast, and it’s a lineup as cinematic as the director’s previous hits.

Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell and Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson will lead the feature, joined by the legendary Tom Waits and longtime Bird collaborator John Ratzenberger.

A Noir-Infused Sci-Fi Epic

Directed by Bird from a screenplay he co-wrote with Matthew Robbins (Pinocchio, Crimson Peak), Ray Gunn is described as a “sci-fi noir” that blends the aesthetics of 1940s detective films with a retro-futuristic world.

Set in Metropia, a sprawling metropolis envisioned as an alternate future through the lens of 1939, the story follows:

  • Raymond Gunn (Sam Rockwell): A gritty, hard-boiled private investigator.

  • Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson): A dazzling multimedia superstar who becomes central to a high-stakes case involving murder and extraterrestrials.

  • Eyera (Tom Waits): A mysterious character whose details remain under wraps but is sure to benefit from Waits’ iconic gravelly delivery.

“Maltese Falcon Meets Buck Rogers”

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Bird described the project as a dream thirty years in the making. “The film is a blend of sci-fi and classic detective movies from the ’40s… it’s Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers,” Bird said. “Blending them together seemed fun, and a chance to play with a lot of very cinematic elements and extreme characters.”

Johansson, who has been a vocal fan of Bird’s work—ranging from The Iron Giant to The Incredibles—called the collaboration a career milestone. “This project is so uniquely special because it is a total realization of where Brad is currently on his artistic journey,” she noted. “I can’t wait for audiences to see this extraordinary animation that looks like nothing else out there.”

Production and Release

Ray Gunn marks the latest collaboration between Netflix and Skydance Animation, following their multi-year exclusive deal. The film is produced by a powerhouse team including John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Lisa Beroud.

While a specific debut date has not yet been set, Netflix has confirmed that Ray Gunn is slated for release in late 2026. With first-look stills already making the rounds on social media, the film is positioned as one of the most anticipated animated releases of the decade.

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.