Finally, a first look at Brad Bird’s new animated sci‑fi detective movie

At a glance:

• Ray Gunn, Brad Bird’s first animated sci‑fi detective film, will debut on Netflix later this year.
• The voice cast includes Sam Rockwell (Ray), Scarlett Johansson (Venus Nova) and Tom Waits (Eyera).
• Bird describes the movie as “Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers,” blending 1940s noir with classic space‑age adventure.

What happened

Brad Bird, the Oscar‑winning director behind The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille, has finally revealed the first look at his upcoming animated feature Ray Gunn. The film is slated for a Netflix release sometime in 2024, though an exact date has not yet been announced. Promotional stills show a stylised 1939‑era cityscape rendered in bright, retro‑futuristic colours, with the titular private eye – a lanky, trench‑coated hero – front and centre.

The narrative follows Ray Gunn, a hard‑boiled detective in an alternate 1939 where space travel and alien life are everyday realities. He is drawn into a tangled case involving “aliens, murder, and a multimedia star named Venus Nova.” Johansson provides the voice for Venus, while Tom Waits lends his distinctive timbre to Eyera, a green‑skinned sidekick who hangs out with Ray. Sam Rockwell headlines as Ray himself, delivering a performance that Bird says captures the spirit of classic noir protagonists.

In a press release, Bird explained that the concept has been percolating for “over 30 years.” He called the project “a blend of sci‑fi and classic detective movies from the ’40s … it’s Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers.” Bird added that the film allowed him to experiment with “very cinematic elements, and extreme characters,” pushing the boundaries of what animated storytelling can achieve.

Johansson praised the collaboration, noting that working with Bird is a “career milestone.” She described the animation as “extraordinary… looks like nothing else out there,” emphasizing the film’s unique visual language. Rockwell and Waits have not yet spoken publicly, but their involvement signals a strong talent draw for the project.

Who is involved

The core creative team is anchored by Brad Bird, who will both write and direct. Bird’s production company, Bird Studios, is handling the animation, employing a blend of traditional hand‑drawn techniques and cutting‑edge computer‑generated imagery to achieve the retro‑future aesthetic. Netflix is the exclusive streaming partner, handling global distribution once the film is completed.

The voice cast features three high‑profile actors:

• Sam Rockwell as Ray Gunn, the titular detective.
• Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova, the multimedia star entangled in the mystery.
• Tom Waits as Eyera, the green‑hued ally accompanying Ray. These performers bring a mix of gravitas and idiosyncratic charm, aligning with Bird’s vision of a story that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Why it matters

Ray Gunn arrives at a moment when animation is increasingly being recognised as a medium for adult‑oriented storytelling. Bird himself highlighted that “there’s a big chunk of people who don’t watch animation,” and he hopes the film will persuade skeptics by showcasing the medium’s capacity for complex, genre‑bending narratives.

If successful, the movie could reinforce Netflix’s position as a destination for premium, original animated content, competing with traditional studios and streaming rivals. It also adds to a growing slate of high‑budget, creator‑driven animated projects that aim to attract both family audiences and older viewers seeking sophisticated themes.

The blend of noir tropes with sci‑fi aesthetics may inspire future productions to experiment with cross‑genre storytelling, further eroding the perception that animation is limited to children’s fare. As Bird puts it, the film is “a chance to play with a lot of very cinematic elements,” and its reception could shape how studios allocate budgets for ambitious animated ventures.

What to watch next

Fans should keep an eye on Netflix’s official announcements for a concrete release window, likely in the latter half of 2024. Trailers and additional character art are expected to roll out in the months leading up to the premiere. Industry observers will also be watching the film’s critical reception, which could influence the green‑lighting of similar genre‑blending animated projects.

The project’s development timeline—spanning three decades from concept to screen—offers a case study in long‑term creative incubation. As Bird’s previous works have shown, patience and a clear artistic vision can culminate in culturally resonant cinema, and Ray Gunn may become another benchmark for animated storytelling.