We’ve already tackled Brad Bird’s plea to Netflix for “Ray Gunn” to get a theatrical release. At the moment, the film is set to premiere direct to streaming on December 18, with no theatrical rollout planned, for now.
Speaking to Polygon at the Annecy Festival, Bird admits that, while grateful to Netflix for financing and supporting the project, he continues to push for a theatrical release, arguing that “Ray Gunn” is best experienced on the biggest screen possible.
“I’m talking. I don’t know whether they’re listening,” Bird said with a laugh. “I’m very grateful that the film exists, and it exists because Netflix was willing to take a flyer on the idea and they’ve been tremendously supportive. That said, it’s not news to anyone that I’m a big fan of theatrical […] I believe it’s the best way to see this movie the first time you see it.”
Although Netflix has recently given select titles limited theatrical runs, Bird said he’s unsure whether the streamer will do the same for “Ray Gunn.” In the meantime, he encourages fans to find the largest screen they can—even if it means a neighbor’s TV—to experience the film the way he believes it was meant to be seen.
“I would recommend you find the biggest screen you can, even if it’s down the street at your neighbor’s place,” he says. “Barge right in there and say, ‘We’re seeing this movie because you have a big screen and that’s the way it should be seen.’”
Adding to the frustration, “Ray Gunn” has reportedly received very high test scores, despite being screened in a rough, unfinished state. Then there are the internal disputes plaguing the film. There have reportedly been “struggles” regarding the film’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, while Bird fully believes his film is PG-13. The main reason Netflix prefers PG is that a PG-13 rating would prevent the film from appearing in the Kids profile or Kids tab on Netflix, resulting in fewer clicks.
To get his passion project made, Bird made a deal with the devil, so to speak, which, as you know, comes with consequences. Still, a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival is very much a possibility for “Ray Gunn,” and if the reviews are strong enough to put it in contention for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, Netflix will likely stick to its usual strategy of giving the film a one-week limited theatrical run in New York and Los Angeles.