New Sci‑Fi Adventure Lets Scarlett Johansson Team Up With a Marvel Star

Scarlett Johansson steps back into the world of science fiction with a fresh Netflix animation. The film, directed by Academy Award winner Brad Bird, follows Venus Nova, a celebrity who gets pulled into a murder case involving aliens in the sprawling city of Metropia. The detective, voiced by Sam Rockwell, reunites with Johansson after they both appeared in “Iron Man 2” and “Jojo Rabbit. ” Tom Waits also lends his voice to a character named Eyera. Bird, known for Pixar hits like “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille, ” says the project is a mix of 1940s detective drama and classic sci‑fi, aiming to broaden what people think animation can achieve. He has been dreaming of the story for over thirty years and hopes to attract viewers who rarely watch animated films.Johansson praised Bird’s work and called the project a milestone in her career, excited to share this unique animation style with audiences. The film’s writer and co‑producer Matthew Robbins, along with former Pixar executive John Lasseter, Lisa Beroud, and Skydance Animation partners David Ellison and Dana Goldberg, are shaping the story set in a future version of 1939. Netflix plans to release “Ray Gunn” later in 2026, adding it to a growing lineup that includes titles like “Pinocchio, ” “The Sea Beast, ” and “Nimona. ” The release follows the streaming platform’s record‑breaking KPop Demon Hunters, which earned two Academy Awards. Rockwell is best known for roles in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, ” “The White Lotus, ” and “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. ” He played villain Justin Hammer in “Iron Man 2, ” while Johansson debuted as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the MCU.