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Director Brad Bird spoke to Variety about why he brought his new animated feature 'Ray Gunn' to Skydance rather than Pixar, arguing that making animated films aimed at teens and adults 'shouldn't be a controversial decision.' Variety also published its review of the retro-futurist noir film, praising its energy while noting it has more verve than emotional depth. The film, scored with a 74-piece orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, represents Bird's latest attempt to push animation beyond family-only audiences. The dual coverage—an interview and a review—frames 'Ray Gunn' as a notable awards-season animation title and a test case for whether major studios will back more mature animated fare outside Pixar's traditional family-focused model.