The first footage from *Ray Gunn*, which Brad Bird has been working on for nearly 30 years, has been released. The film follows private detective Raymond Gunn as he investigates a mystery surrounding pop star Venus Nova in an alternate 1939 where humans and aliens live together.
Sam Rockwell voices Raymond Gunn, Scarlett Johansson voices Venus Nova, and Tom Waits voices his alien colleague Eyera. The cast also includes Alan Tudyk, Matt Berry, Bobby Cannavale, and Patton Oswalt. *Ray Gunn* will be released on Netflix on December 18.
Why it matters
The release of the first footage after *Ray Gunn*’s nearly 30-year development process shows that the project has evolved from an idea that remained in development for a long time into a production nearing its release to audiences. This makes the film’s production history an object of curiosity in its own right for viewers who follow Brad Bird’s work and animations that establish different universes. The alternate 1939 in which humans and aliens live together suggests that the central investigation will involve more than simply solving a single mystery; it also raises questions about how this shared existence affects the characters and events. However, the information currently available does not explain the rules of this world or how the mystery surrounding Venus Nova will unfold. The Netflix release clarifies where viewers will look for answers to these questions.
Background
Netflix is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 20 news articles mentioning it in the last 90 days; the latest is dated September 25, 2026.