Brad Bird’s 'Ray Gunn' Leads Netflix’s Annecy Showcase

Key Points:

• Netflix showcased several major upcoming animated projects at its Los Angeles press preview and Annecy Festival presentation, highlighting Brad Bird’s long-awaited feature Ray Gunn, the new animated series Ghostbusters: Night Shift, and Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory.
• Ray Gunn, set to debut on December 18, follows detective Ray Gunn in a retro-futuristic 1939-inspired world; the film features voices by Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits, and explores themes of identity through a blend of comedy and noir aesthetics.
• Ghostbusters: Night Shift, set in 1994, introduces a new generation of Ghostbusters protecting New York City between the original films and recent sequels, emphasizing horror elements and a gritty early-90s NYC aesthetic, aiming for a scarier tone beyond typical kids’ animation.
• Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory, slated for 2027, is an animated continuation rather than a retelling of Roald Dahl’s classic, featuring Taika Waititi as Willy Wonka and set in modern-day London, with the story focusing on a new Charlie and Wonka’s attempt to make the world sweeter after a prison stint.
• Netflix’s presentation highlighted the company’s push to diversify its animation slate by targeting broader audiences, including older fans and more mature themes, moving beyond traditional family-oriented content.