Netflix unveils trailer for Brad Bird’s sci-fi murder mystery Ray Gunn
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Netflix has released the trailer for “Ray Gunn”, Brad Bird’s neo-noir science-fiction murder mystery, which will premiere on 18 December. Sam Rockwell plays private detective Raymond “Ray” Gunn, investigating a case involving Venus Nova, a pop star portrayed by Scarlett Johansson whose scandal threatens both her career and her life.
Set in a futuristic world inhabited by humans and aliens, the film follows Gunn and his alien colleague Eyera, played by Tom Waits. Bird developed the project from an idea dating back to the 1990s; after reviving it with Skydance Animation in 2021, he left “Incredibles 3” to concentrate on the film, which also reunites him with producer John Lasseter and former Skydance executives David Ellison and Dana Goldberg.
- Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for Brad Bird’s sci-fi mystery.
- Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson lead the cast.
- “Ray Gunn” arrives on Netflix on 18 December.
Full account
Netflix has unveiled promotional footage for Ray Gunn, a science-fiction mystery animated feature directed by Brad Bird, presenting voice performances from Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits. The project marks a significant collaboration between the streaming platform and prominent figures in animation and film production.
The narrative follows Raymond Gunn, a private investigator navigating a sprawling future city called Metropia, where humans and alien beings inhabit surroundings designed according to 1930s aesthetic principles. Gunn pursues an investigation entangling a celebrated entertainment personality, Venus Nova (Johansson), who faces circumstances threatening her career and potentially her existence. His investigation partner Eyera (Waits), an extraterrestrial colleague, assists in unravelling a case situated at the intersection of detective noir and science-fiction storytelling.
Bird has characterised the project as a three-decade creative pursuit originating from his response to promotional material for a 1989 film sharing similar nomenclature. Initial development occurred at Turner Feature Animation throughout the 1990s before the project stalled following Bird's directorial work on The Iron Giant. Reconceptualisation commenced in 2021 when Bird established a directing agreement with Skydance Animation, facilitating reunion with John Lasseter from their Pixar partnership on The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Incredibles 2. The arrangement also restored professional connections with collaborators from Bird's prior film industry work. Bird has relinquished his directorial involvement with a future Incredibles instalment scheduled for 2028 to prioritise Ray Gunn's completion.
The production will receive a limited premium-format theatrical showing on 4 December before appearing on Netflix on 18 December. The expanded voice ensemble comprises Alan Tudyk, Matt Berry, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Rodriguez, Aasif Mandvi, Kathryn Hunter, John Ratzenberger, Patton Oswalt, and additional performers. The film emerges as a Netflix and Skydance Animation co-production, with producers including Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Lisa Beroud.
Where outlets differ
Source 2 exclusively reports the limited 70mm theatrical release on 4 December; Source 1 mentions only the Netflix streaming debut
Source 1 provides detailed production history including Turner Feature Animation origins and The Iron Giant connection; Source 2 emphasises the 30-year timeline without historical specifics
Source 2 supplies a substantially more extensive cast list; Source 1 provides partial cast information and uniquely mentions Jamie Costa
Source 1 reports Bird's exit from Incredibles 3 with Peter Sohn's replacement; Source 2 contains no reference to this development
Source 2 specifies the setting's 1939 design aesthetic; Source 1 describes it more generally as futuristic
Source 1 explicitly designates the genre as 'neo-noir'; Source 2 avoids specific genre classification
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Originally published by Variety as “‘Ray Gunn’ Trailer: Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson Star in Netflix’s Sci-Fi Murder Mystery From ‘Incredibles’ Director”.