# Ray Gunn Review: Brad Bird’s Animated Noir

> Brad Bird’s animated noir 'Ray Gunn' debuts on Netflix after 30 years in development.
- Title: Ray Gunn Review: Brad Bird’s Animated Noir · TheWrap
- Summary: Brad Bird’s animated noir 'Ray Gunn' debuts on Netflix after 30 years in development. ray gunn, brad bird, netflix · reported by TheWrap.
- Keywords: ray gunn, brad bird, netflix, animated noir, sam rockwell, tom waits, scarlett johansson, alan tudyk, bobby cannavale, matt berry, metropia, netflix premiere
- Source: TheWrap — https://thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/ray-gunn-review-brad-bird-netflix
- Author: Drew Taylor
- Published: 2026-10-10T13:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ray gunn, brad bird, netflix, animated noir, sam rockwell, tom waits, scarlett johansson, alan tudyk, bobby cannavale, matt berry, metropia, netflix premiere
## Ray Gunn's Origin
Brad Bird began 'Ray Gunn' in the early 1990s after hearing the B-52's song 'Planet Claire' on the radio.

> Ray Gunn
## Inspired by B-52's
Bird initially thought it was Henry Mancini's theme to 'Peter Gunn' but realized it was something spacey and retro-futuristic.

> Planet Claire
## Early Draft Vision
Bird described the world as 'before World War II and the atomic bomb made the world a smaller place, and the future less than rosy'.

> before world war ii and the atomic bomb made the world a smaller place
## Development History
The project was dormant until Bird re-engaged with Warner Bros. to Skydance Animation for a computer animation remake.

> Skydance Animation
## Metropia City
Metropia features sleek skyscrapers, flying cars, and elevated trains with giant propellers in a futuristic yet charming city.

> Metropia
## Alien Detective Team
Eyera, a three-legged, one-eyed alien, partners with human detective Raymond Gunn (Sam Rockwell) in Metropia.

> Sam Rockwell
## Detective Agency
Gunn’s agency is nearly bankrupt, and he lacks a functional blaster, highlighting the title’s double meaning.

> Ray Gunn
## Venus Nova Case
Gunn and Eyera are hired to protect pop star Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson) from her deadbeat husband and mob boss.

> Venus Nova
## Action Choreography
Bird’s complex action sequences include runaway elevators and skyways of Metropia with intricate camera work.

> runaway elevators
## Social Commentary
Aliens are depicted as second-class citizens, challenging elitist views of Bird’s work.

> second-class citizens
## Theatrical Release
The film will premiere in select theaters on December 4 and stream on Netflix on December 18.

> December 4
## Key takeaway

Brad Bird’s animated noir 'Ray Gunn' debuts on Netflix on December 18 after 30 years in development.