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Ray Gunn: Scarlett Johansson’s Sci-Fi Epic Adds Matt Berry as Villain
Brad Bird’s long-awaited animated project Ray Gunn adds Matt Berry to its cast. Get the latest on the sci-fi detective story starring Scarlett Johansson.
After three decades in development, director Brad Bird’s ambitious animated project Ray Gunn is finally stepping into the spotlight. The highly anticipated film has just confirmed that A Minecraft Movie star Matt Berry has joined the cast to voice the primary antagonist, marking a significant milestone for this long-gestating sci-fi feature.
What to Expect from Ray Gunn
Ray Gunn is set in a vibrant world where humans and aliens coexist, centering on a private detective caught in an intricate web of mystery. Scarlett Johansson headlines the project as Venus Nova, a famous pop star thrust into a life-threatening scandal. The addition of Matt Berry as the alien mob boss Francis “Slugsy” Xavier adds a layer of sharp, charismatic villainy to the narrative, promising a unique dynamic against the lead investigators.
A Star-Studded Cast for an Adult Animation
Beyond the headliners, the film boasts a powerhouse ensemble that underscores Bird’s commitment to quality storytelling. The cast list includes:
- Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova
- Sam Rockwell as the lead detective
- Matt Berry as Francis “Slugsy” Xavier
- Tom Waits and Patton Oswalt in supporting roles
- Kathryn Hunter, John Ratzenberger, and Jamie Costa
Bird has been vocal about his vision, noting that while the film is animated, it is not strictly aimed at a younger demographic. He challenges the industry’s tendency to treat animation as a children-only medium, opting instead to tell a story that feels sincere to its intended audience.
The Evolution of a Sci-Fi World
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Ray Gunn is how its production timeline has intersected with actual technological progress. When Bird first conceived the story 30 years ago, many elements—specifically the presence of advanced AI—felt firmly rooted in futuristic fiction. Today, those themes feel more relevant than ever.
I did not make the film with kids in mind, despite it being animated. You better be in the audience that you’re making it for, or everything you do will be insincere. — Brad Bird
With its world premiere scheduled for October at the BFI London Film Festival, fans are eager to see if this decades-long passion project lives up to the hype. By blending noir detective tropes with a sophisticated, mature approach to animation, Bird is clearly looking to push the boundaries of the genre.
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