Brad Bird's Sci-Fi Noir Animation 'Ray Gunn' Unveils Star-Studded Cast

Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits to Voice Characters in Highly Anticipated Animated Feature

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:36am

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An extreme close-up of shimmering, high-contrast textures in vibrant colors, conceptually representing the glamour and excitement surrounding the upcoming animated film 'Ray Gunn'.The star-studded voice cast of Brad Bird's highly anticipated sci-fi noir animation 'Ray Gunn' promises a visually stunning and narratively rich cinematic experience.Today in Tampa

Legendary filmmaker Brad Bird is set to transport audiences to a captivating alternate future with his passion project, 'Ray Gunn', a unique blend of classic detective noir and futuristic sci-fi. The film has just revealed its stellar voice cast, including the talents of Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits, promising a visually stunning and narratively rich cinematic experience.

Why it matters

Bird's ambition to challenge the perception of animation as a genre solely for children and showcase the medium's limitless potential for storytelling is both admirable and exciting. 'Ray Gunn' aims to captivate audiences who typically shy away from animated films, further expanding the boundaries of the art form.

The details

Set in an alternate future as envisioned from the 1930s, 'Ray Gunn' follows the story of Raymond Gunn, a private eye entangled in a web of aliens, murder, and a multimedia star named Venus Nova. The film is a cinematic fusion of 'The Maltese Falcon' and 'Buck Rogers', offering a delightful twist on familiar genres.

  • Brad Bird has been working on 'Ray Gunn' for three decades.
  • 'Ray Gunn' is set to be released later this year.

The players

Brad Bird

The legendary filmmaker behind iconic animated films like 'The Incredibles' and 'Ratatouille', who is the director and co-writer of 'Ray Gunn'.

Sam Rockwell

The acclaimed actor who will be voicing a character in 'Ray Gunn'.

Scarlett Johansson

The box office star who has expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Brad Bird on 'Ray Gunn'.

Tom Waits

The renowned musician and actor who will also be lending his voice to a character in 'Ray Gunn'.

Matthew Robbins

The co-writer of the 'Ray Gunn' script, working alongside Brad Bird.

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What they’re saying

“Scarlett Johansson, fresh from her box office success in 'Jurassic World: Rebirth', expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Bird, calling it a career milestone.”

— Scarlett Johansson

“Bird's passion project, three decades in the making, is a unique blend of classic detective noir and futuristic sci-fi.”

— Corie Satterfield, Author

What’s next

As we eagerly await the release of 'Ray Gunn' later this year, one thing is clear: Brad Bird is set to redefine our expectations of animated storytelling.

The takeaway

Brad Bird's ambitious vision for 'Ray Gunn' promises to deliver an extraordinary animation experience that challenges the perception of the medium and showcases its limitless potential for captivating storytelling.