Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn Is Finally Real, and After 30 Years of Waiting, It Could Be Netflix’s Next Animated Masterpiece

By Devaughnte Lee

July 24, 2026 4 Min Read

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Some filmmakers don’t just make movies they shape generations of movie lovers. Brad Bird is one of those rare creators. From helping define the golden era of The Simpsons to giving audiences timeless classics like The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, The Incredibles 2, and the Academy Award-winning Ratatouille, Bird has spent decades proving that animation can be just as emotional, thrilling, and visually breathtaking as any live-action blockbuster. His films have always carried a distinct style, blending heart, humor, unforgettable action, and worlds that feel completely alive.

That’s exactly why fans at San Diego Comic-Con couldn’t help but buzz with excitement when Ray Gunn entered the conversation. This isn’t just another animated film on Bird’s impressive résumé. It’s the project he’s carried with him for more than three decades.

Imagine holding onto one story for 30 years, waiting for the right moment to finally bring it to life. That’s exactly what Bird has done with Ray Gunn, a passion project that has quietly lived in his imagination before finally finding its home at Netflix. After hearing Bird speak about the film, it became clear this isn’t something he simply wanted to make it’s something he needed to make.

RAY GUNN – 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.

Set in an alternate future inside the sprawling metropolis known as Metropia, Ray Gunn follows a hard boiled private detective navigating a dazzling retro futuristic world alongside his alien partner. It’s a concept that immediately sparks curiosity, blending classic detective noir with imaginative science fiction in a way only Bird seems capable of delivering.

The roots of the story stretch all the way back to the late 1980s. Bird has shared that the inspiration struck after seeing a trailer for the 1989 television film Peter Gunn. That simple moment planted the seed for a detective named Ray Gunn a playful pun that eventually evolved into a much larger vision. Teaming once again with longtime collaborator Matthew Robbins, whom he previously worked with on Batteries Not Included (1987), Bird expanded the idea into a full-scale adventure inspired by the detective stories and film noir aesthetics of the 1930s and 1940s, while imagining a future filled with towering skylines, advanced technology, and unforgettable characters. It’s an ambitious combination that feels tailor-made for Bird’s storytelling strengths.

If there’s one thing Bird has consistently mastered throughout his career, it’s making animated worlds feel tangible. Whether audiences were racing through Metroville with the Parr family, wandering the streets of Paris with Remy, or standing beside the Giant in the forests of Maine, every environment carried weight, personality, and emotion. His attention to detail makes viewers feel like they’re stepping directly into these worlds rather than simply watching them unfold. Everything we’ve learned about Ray Gunn suggests that Metropia will be no different.

The film promises stylish action, mystery, humor, larger than-life visuals, and the kind of cinematic spectacle animation fans have come to expect whenever Bird is behind the camera. There’s a confidence surrounding the project that recalls the excitement leading into The Incredibles the feeling that something special is on the horizon.

RAY GUNN – Raymond Gunn (Sam Rockwell) and Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson).

Adding even more star power is an impressive voice cast led by Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits, performers whose unique personalities seem perfectly suited for Bird’s colorful universe. Their performances are expected to help bring even more depth to a world already bursting with imagination.

For longtime fans, Ray Gunn represents something even bigger than another major animated release. It’s the realization of a dream that has been waiting in the wings for over 30 years. Few filmmakers ever get the chance to revisit an idea they’ve carried for that long, making the film feel deeply personal before audiences have even seen a single frame.

RAY GUNN – Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson) and Raymond Gunn (Sam Rockwell).

That anticipation could be felt throughout San Diego Comic-Con. Every new detail revealed about the film only fueled excitement, leaving fans eager to see how Bird’s signature blend of heart, action, comedy, and breathtaking animation translates into an entirely new universe.

If history has taught us anything, it’s that Brad Bird rarely misses. Time and again, he’s reminded audiences why animation deserves to stand alongside the biggest cinematic experiences in Hollywood. With Ray Gunn, he has the opportunity to do it once again. Mark your calendars because the wait is almost over. Ray Gunn premieres on Netflix on December 18, 2026, and if Bird’s remarkable track record is any indication, this long awaited passion project may become one of the year’s most unforgettable animated films.