It was already common knowledge that Brad Bird‘s animated feature film “Ray Gunn” would debut on Netflix later this year. What wasn’t, however, was who would star in the movie’s voice cast. Now we know, according to a new press junket for “Ray Gunn” via the streamer: Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, and Tom Waits. The three will join voice actor John Ratzenberger, who had been previously announced.
So, what’s the set-up for “Ray Gunn”? As per a logline via Netflix, “In Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, private eye Raymond Gunn is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova.” Scar Jo no doubt will play Venus Nova, and Rockwell plays the PI. And if the central mystery of “Ray Gunn” proves sprawling, expect additional voice cast to be announced very soon.
“RAY GUNN has been in my mind for over 30 years,” director Bird said in a press statement about his upcoming movie, and his first since 2018’s “The Incredibles 2.” “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. 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.”
First announced in 2022, “Ray Gunn” sees Bird reunite with John Lasseter, who headed Pixar during the years Bird helmed “The Incredibles” and its sequel. For those who remember, Lasseter exited Pixar in 2018 under heavy scrutiny due to sexual misconduct allegations; Bird and others defended Lasseter after he left the animated studio. In the wake of all that, Skydance CEO David Ellison hired Lasseter to lead Skydance Animation, a position he’s held since. “Ray Gunn” will be released on Netflix via the streamer’s multi-year deal with Skydance Animation from 2023 to release animated films exclusively on their service.
Producers on “Ray Gunn” include Bird, Lasseter, Ellison, Lisa Beroud, and Dana Goldberg. Bird directs a script he co-writes with Matthew Robbins. The film still hasn’t received an official release date from Netflix, but it’s one of several animated movies the streamer will release since the Oscar-winning “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” including “Steps” and “Swapped.”
As for the voice cast, Johansson adds “Ray Gunn” to a list of upcoming films that includes James Gray‘s “Paper Tiger” and Mike Flanagan‘s “The Exorcist.” Meanwhile, Rockwell will reunite with Martin McDonagh on “Wild Horse Nine,” in theaters on November 6; the actor also has “Stuntnuts: The Movie” and another voice role, “The Adventures Of Drunky,” on the way. Singer Waits also provides voice work for Travis Knight‘s much-anticipated “Wildwood,” in theaters on October 23.
Stay tuned for an official release date for “Ray Gunn” from Netflix soon. Expect the animated feature to be part of the streamer’s Fall release slate.
