Brad Bird’s ‘Ray Gunn’ Battles Netflix Over Runtime, Rating and Theatrical

A report from The Wrap’s Drew Taylor tackles the team behind “Ray Gunn” — Brad Bird’s original animated Netflix film — and their attempts to nab the then-vacant IMAX theatrical slot originally meant for Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” on Thanksgiving 2026.

Bird’s team argued that “Ray Gunn” was the ideal replacement for the two-week IMAX engagement ahead of its planned Netflix debut, especially given animation’s strong box-office receipts. They believed “Ray Gunn” would thrive on premium large-format screens.

Those attempts were unsuccessful. Netflix ultimately selected David Fincher’s “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” starring Brad Pitt, despite Fincher reportedly not even seeking a major theatrical release and seemingly not caring much about one.

Now, to make things spicier, “Ray Gunn” is a Skydance Animation production, and to absolutely nobody’s surprise, the ongoing tensions between Netflix and Paramount/Skydance have reportedly left neither side eager to invest in a major theatrical push. As a result, people close to the project have described the film as a “hot potato,” caught between competing business interests.

Adding to the frustration, “Ray Gunn” reportedly received high test scores at a recent screening in Arizona, despite being in a rough, unfinished state. Then there are the internal disputes plaguing the film. There have reportedly been “struggles” regarding the movie’s runtime and eventual rating. While no final rating has been determined, Netflix is said to be pushing for a less intense, more family-friendly PG classification.

The film follows Sam Rockwell as the titular Ray Gunn, a hardened private detective and the last human in a galaxy populated by alien beings, who becomes drawn into a complex mystery. The rest of the voice cast includes Scarlett Johansson.

The film is described as a blend of noir, action, and comedy. We’ll get a closer look at the project when select scenes screen at the Annecy Film Festival this month. Perhaps a world premiere at TIFF is also in the cards.

Bird, known for his acclaimed work in animation, including “The Simpsons,” “The Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” and “Ratatouille” — what a résumé — is finally bringing this passion project, over 30 years in the making, to the screen. There’s still no release date, but a very limited theatrical bow, purely for Oscar eligibility, is a possibility.