Get ready for a stylish animation-ride. Scarlett Johansson has officially landed a voice role in director Brad Bird’s long-awaited animated feature Ray Gunn, which is set to debut exclusively on Netflix in 2026.
Bird, the creative mind behind animated favorites like The Incredibles and Ratatouille, returns to his hand-crafted roots in this neo-noir sci-fi action comedy. After years in development, the film finds new life under Skydance Animation and Netflix’s partnership and features voice talent including Sam Rockwell and John Ratzenberger.
Scarlett Johansson and Brad Bird Team Up for Netflix’s Stylish Sci-Fi Noir Ray Gunn
In November 2025, the first wave of casting news revealed Johansson and Rockwell were involved as the project entered its test-screening phase. Johansson is credited with voicing a character named Venus Star, while Rockwell takes the lead as Detective Raymond “Ray” Gunn in a futuristic world where humans and aliens intersect.
For Johansson, this project marks yet another exciting turn in a very busy career trajectory. Fresh off the box-office smash Jurassic World Rebirth (which grossed $868 million worldwide) and her directorial debut Eleanor the Great, Johansson has a full slate ahead: she’s slated to film a live-action version of Tangled as Mother Gothel and join the sequel to Rebirth in 2026, and now lends her voice to Ray Gunn.
Meanwhile, Bird’s attachment to Ray Gunn underscores his ambitious return to animation’s frontier. Originally, the project was rumoured to use hand-drawn techniques and a budget north of $150 million. Production has shifted to computer animation under Skydance’s recent deal with Netflix that sees the studio focus on streaming-heavy releases.
With Johansson’s involvement, Ray Gunn gains a marquee star who bridges big-screen spectacle and streaming intelligence. For fans of Johansson’s versatile career and Bird’s animation pedigree, this pairing promises something unexpected: smart genre-mixing fun with wit, style, and character.
While release details remain minimal beyond a 2026 Netflix window, one thing feels certain: this is one animated film you’ll want to mark on your calendar.
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