Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Tom Waits Join Brad Bird’s ‘Ray Gunn’ Voice Cast

Academy Award-winning actors Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, along with legendary musician Tom Waits, have officially joined the voice cast of director Brad Bird's upcoming animated feature "Ray Gunn" for Skydance Animation, as announced by the studio this week. The casting news represents a significant expansion of the project's star power, bringing together multiple Oscar winners and distinctive vocal talents for this highly anticipated film. The announcement confirms the production is moving forward with major talent attachments, generating considerable buzz in the animation and film communities. The trio will join veteran voice actor John Ratzenberger, a frequent collaborator in Pixar films, in the Skydance Animation production. Brad Bird, the acclaimed director behind "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille," and "The Iron Giant," is both writing and directing "Ray Gunn," marking his return to feature animation after several years. The project represents Skydance Animation's continued push into high-profile animated features following their previous releases, with Bird's involvement signaling a major creative commitment to the film's quality and vision. According to the official logline released with the casting announcement, "Ray Gunn" is set in Metropia, a massive futuristic city as imagined from the perspective of 1939, creating a distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic. The story follows private investigator Raymond Gunn as he navigates this alternate reality landscape. This setting allows Bird to explore his signature blend of sophisticated storytelling, visual innovation, and genre homage that has characterized his previous successful films. The combination of this unique world-building with an all-star voice cast positions "Ray Gunn" as one of the most anticipated animated projects currently in development. The casting continues a trend of major live-action stars joining animated voice casts, particularly for projects from prestigious directors like Bird. Johansson brings her considerable voice acting experience from "Her" and "The Jungle Book," while Rockwell's distinctive delivery and Waits' iconic gravelly voice promise to create memorable characters. With production details still emerging, the film represents Skydance Animation's strategy of pairing top directing talent with A-list vocal performers to compete in the feature animation landscape.