Convention - SDCC 2026: Brad Bird Reflects on a Lifetime of Storytelling

By Mulder, San Diego, Conventon Center, Hall H, 23 july 2026

Brad Bird Returns to Hall H for an Unforgettable Career Retrospective
 
Few filmmakers can command a Hall H audience with nothing more than stories about their creative journey. Brad Bird is one of them. The two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, whose career spans animated masterpieces such as The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille, as well as the blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, took center stage during San Diego Comic-Con 2026 for an unforgettable panel titled Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey. Moderated by Collider Editor-in-Chief Steven Weintraub, the hour-long conversation became much more than a retrospective. It offered fans a rare opportunity to hear one of Hollywood's most respected storytellers reflect on the lessons that shaped his career while unveiling exciting new details about his long-awaited passion project, Ray Gunn.

From the moment Brad Bird stepped onto the Hall H stage, it was clear that this would not be a conventional promotional event. The filmmaker effortlessly balanced humor, candid storytelling and technical insight as he revisited the milestones that transformed him from a young Disney apprentice into one of the defining voices of modern animation. Every anecdote illustrated the same philosophy that has guided his work for decades: stories always come first. Whether discussing his earliest influences, his years at Disney, Pixar, or his transition into live-action filmmaking, Bird consistently emphasized the importance of exploring every creative possibility rather than settling for the obvious solution.

The Creative Philosophy That Has Guided Brad Bird for Decades
 
That philosophy can be traced back to one of the most influential figures in his life, legendary Disney animator Milt Kahl, who mentored the young filmmaker during his unofficial apprenticeship at Walt Disney Productions. Bird revealed that one lesson from Kahl still echoes in his mind whenever he begins a new project. Whenever Bird presented an idea that felt incomplete, Kahl would challenge him by insisting that he had not "explored the possibilities." Decades later, Bird explained that those words remain at the core of every creative decision he makes, encouraging him to push stories beyond their most predictable versions and constantly search for richer emotional territory.

From The Iron Giant to Pixar's Greatest Successes
 
During the conversation, Bird reflected on his remarkably diverse career, from his groundbreaking work on The Simpsons to directing The Iron Giant, a film now widely regarded as one of animation's greatest achievements despite its disappointing theatrical release in 1999. Looking back, Bird admitted that the film's commercial failure had little to do with audiences rejecting it and everything to do with inadequate marketing. He humorously observed that marketing can make or break a movie, noting that The Iron Giant only truly found its audience years later through repeated television broadcasts and home video, eventually becoming one of the most beloved animated films ever made. Rather than expressing bitterness, Bird appeared genuinely grateful that the film ultimately found the audience he had always hoped for.

The director also revisited his celebrated collaboration with Pixar, offering fascinating insights into the creative evolution of The Incredibles. One of the panel's most surprising revelations concerned the origin of Syndrome, now considered one of Pixar's most memorable villains. Bird explained that the character emerged almost by accident during an early story exercise requested by the studio. Originally, Pixar had challenged him to imagine an opening where audiences would first meet the Parr family living ordinary civilian lives before learning they had once been superheroes. Although Bird never intended to keep that version of the story, the exercise introduced a revenge-driven antagonist who immediately proved more compelling than the original villain. Inspired in part by actor Burt Ward's autobiography and the subtle resentment he sensed toward Adam West's Batman, Bird reshaped the character into Syndrome, transforming him into the emotional heart of the film's conflict.

Bird also recalled the collaborative culture that distinguished Pixar from other studios where he had previously worked. Rather than resisting feedback, he welcomed thoughtful criticism from the company's famous Braintrust, explaining that he had no problem accepting notes as long as they genuinely improved the story. That willingness to refine ideas without compromising artistic vision became one of the defining characteristics of his filmmaking process and helped shape both The Incredibles and Ratatouille into Academy Award-winning classics.

The discussion naturally turned toward Ratatouille, another production surrounded by fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Bird explained how he unexpectedly took over the project after completing The Incredibles, inheriting two complete storyboarded versions of the film before rewriting virtually the entire screenplay. He revealed that one of his most important casting decisions involved convincing Pixar to hire Patton Oswalt as the voice of Remy after testing the actor's performances against early artwork of the character. Likewise, he insisted that Peter O'Toole was the only actor capable of bringing the intimidating food critic Anton Ego to life, a choice that would ultimately produce one of the most celebrated scenes in Pixar history. Bird admitted that Ego's now-iconic review was rewritten repeatedly—even during flights and hotel stays—until every word felt emotionally authentic, a process supported by an early orchestral suite composed by longtime collaborator Michael Giacchino.

How Ray Gunn Finally Became Reality After Three Decades
 
As much as the audience enjoyed revisiting Bird's earlier triumphs, everyone knew the real attraction of the evening was Ray Gunn, the filmmaker's long-awaited return to animation. After spending decades trapped in development, the ambitious neo-noir science-fiction adventure is finally set to premiere on Netflix on December 18. Describing the film as "Buck Rogers meets The Maltese Falcon," Bird introduced audiences to a retro-futuristic world where humans and alien species coexist in an alternate version of 1939. The story follows private investigator Raymond Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell, as he becomes entangled in a murder mystery involving the enigmatic multimedia icon Venus Nova, played by Scarlett Johansson. Hall H audiences were treated to the first seven minutes of the film, offering an exclusive glimpse at Metropia, a sprawling Art Deco-inspired city filled with extraordinary visual detail and dynamic action sequences.

The exclusive preview immediately demonstrated why Ray Gunn has remained one of Brad Bird's most cherished passion projects. Opening with breathtaking panoramic shots of the sprawling metropolis of Metropia, the footage immerses viewers in an alternate 1939 where humans and countless alien species coexist naturally. Bird described the concept as "Buck Rogers meets The Maltese Falcon," and the comparison proved remarkably accurate. The preview introduces private detective Raymond Gunn, who accepts what appears to be a routine investigation into an illegal alien smuggling operation before finding himself surrounded by hostile extraterrestrial criminals. A spectacular action sequence follows, showcasing Bird's trademark sense of movement, cinematic staging and visual storytelling as Gunn and his loyal companion Eyera, voiced by Tom Waits, narrowly escape their attackers. Although only seven minutes long, the footage established a richly layered universe filled with retro-futuristic architecture, expressive alien designs and countless visual details that immediately captivated the Hall H audience.

Speaking about the project's unusually long development, Bird made an important distinction that perfectly encapsulated his creative journey. Contrary to the popular belief that he had been actively making the film for thirty years, the director explained that he had actually spent most of that time simply waiting for someone willing to finance it. The screenplay, artwork and ideas had existed for decades, but the opportunity to bring them to life only materialized after the project found its current home at Netflix and Skydance Animation. Bird expressed deep gratitude for Netflix's creative support while also revealing that he continues to advocate for at least an experimental theatrical release. Given the extraordinary level of visual detail packed into every frame, he believes audiences deserve the opportunity to experience Ray Gunn on the biggest screen possible rather than exclusively at home.

Building the World of Ray Gunn: Visual Storytelling on a Grand Scale
 
That extraordinary attention to detail became one of the evening's recurring themes. During the discussion, Steven Weintraub praised the film's astonishing density of visual information, joking that viewers would constantly want to pause the movie simply to absorb everything happening in the background. Bird explained that because almost the entire story unfolds within a single city, he encouraged every department to imagine an entire living world extending far beyond what appears on screen. While audiences naturally focus on the main characters, he wanted every street, building and background element to suggest countless unseen stories occurring simultaneously. According to Bird, successful world-building isn't about overwhelming viewers with information but about creating the convincing illusion that life continues beyond the camera frame.

Michael Giacchino and Brad Bird: A Creative Partnership Built on Story
 
The film's emotional identity owes just as much to music as it does to visuals, making the surprise appearance of Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino one of the panel's biggest highlights. Walking onto the Hall H stage after first appearing via a prerecorded video message, Giacchino delighted both Bird and the audience while sharing memories of their decades-long collaboration. The composer revealed that he first heard about Ray Gunn back in 2003 during production of The Incredibles, long before anyone imagined the film would finally enter production. Ever since, the story quietly occupied a place in his imagination, allowing ideas to develop naturally over the years. Rather than approaching Ray Gunn as a traditional detective story, Giacchino explained that his score focuses entirely on understanding Raymond Gunn as a character. Every musical theme grew from emotional questions about who Ray is, what he desires and what continues to haunt him, resulting in a soundtrack that blends classic noir influences, science-fiction textures, subtle jazz elements and deeply personal emotional themes without ever resembling the iconic music he previously composed for The Incredibles.

Bird confirmed that this story-first philosophy defines every aspect of his collaboration with Giacchino. Instead of discussing orchestration or musical references in technical terms, the two spend most of their creative conversations talking about characters, motivations and narrative structure. Music emerges naturally from those discussions rather than being treated as an isolated artistic discipline. Bird also praised Giacchino's instincts as a storyteller, noting that some of the composer's most valuable contributions come through script discussions rather than musical suggestions.

The Incredibles 3 Officially Moves Forward
 
Although Ray Gunn dominated much of the conversation, Hall H was equally eager for news about another long-awaited sequel. Bird officially confirmed that he is actively co-writing and co-producing The Incredibles 3, while longtime Pixar artist and filmmaker Peter Sohn, who previously voiced Emile in Ratatouille, will take over directing duties. Bird expressed complete confidence in Sohn's abilities, describing him as one of the most talented artists he has worked alongside since the days of The Iron Giant. Despite repeated attempts by both Michael Giacchino and Steven Weintraub to extract additional story details, Bird remained characteristically discreet, revealing only that he remains deeply involved in shaping the screenplay while allowing Sohn to bring his own vision to the production. Giacchino jokingly volunteered to compose the score before Bird humorously suggested that "the ghost of Jerry Goldsmith" had already been hired, prompting laughter throughout Hall H.

The conversation also highlighted Bird's remarkable loyalty to the artists who have accompanied him throughout his career. Discussing the production of Ray Gunn, he emphasized how many longtime collaborators had returned, including veteran storyboard artists, designers and animators who had previously contributed to The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Many have since become directors themselves, yet eagerly accepted opportunities to storyboard individual sequences simply for the chance to work alongside Bird again. According to Giacchino, that devotion stems directly from Bird's reputation as one of the industry's greatest creative leaders. Whenever Bird begins a new film, talented artists naturally want to follow because they trust both his vision and the collaborative environment he creates.

Revisiting the Long-Awaited 1906 Adaptation
 
The panel also offered fascinating insight into one of Brad Bird's longest-running unrealized ambitions: 1906, his adaptation of James Dalessandro's historical novel about the devastating San Francisco earthquake and the catastrophic fires that followed. The project has often been surrounded by speculation over the years, with numerous reports suggesting that excessive budgets or studio disagreements were responsible for its collapse. Bird firmly rejected those rumors, explaining that the film never even reached the stage where budget negotiations became an issue. Instead, the real challenge came from the sheer scale of the historical material itself. Every time he conducted additional research, he discovered extraordinary true stories that deserved to be included, making it increasingly impossible to compress the narrative into a traditional feature film. Comparing the creative process to loading a hot-air balloon, Bird explained that every fascinating historical detail added weight until the project could no longer "lift off." Throwing ideas away became emotionally painful because each one felt essential.

Rather than abandoning the story altogether, Bird now believes 1906 would be better suited to a limited television event. Responding to a video question from Patton Oswalt, who jokingly also slipped in a request for Ratatouille 2, Bird confirmed that he has seriously considered expanding the project into an eight-episode miniseries. Such a format, he explained, would finally allow him to balance the epic scale of the disaster with the intimate human stories that unfolded during one of the darkest chapters in San Francisco's history. Bird described the combination of the earthquake itself and the devastating firestorms that followed as one of history's greatest cinematic spectacles, pointing out that hurricane-force fire tornadoes swept across entire neighborhoods, creating an almost unimaginable visual event. Even after decades of development setbacks, his enthusiasm for bringing the story to audiences remains unmistakably strong.

Lessons from The Simpsons and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
 
Bird's passion for storytelling extended beyond his own productions as he reflected on the experiences that shaped him as a filmmaker. He revisited his years working on The Simpsons, explaining how the relentless television production schedule taught him to make creative decisions quickly without sacrificing quality. He credited that environment with preparing him for the intense pace of feature animation, where every artistic decision influences countless departments. Later, while discussing Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Bird fondly remembered the extraordinary collaboration with Tom Cruise, recalling the actor's fearless commitment to practical stunt work atop Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Bird admitted that there were moments during filming when he genuinely feared for Cruise's safety, waking in the middle of the night only to remember that his leading man was suspended hundreds of meters above the ground performing one of cinema's most ambitious practical stunts. Yet he also laughed at the irony that Cruise himself, as producer, was often the person insisting those dangerous sequences move forward.

Another memorable moment came when Bird described the surprisingly cinematic origins of his own filmmaking instincts. Long before he had access to cameras or animation equipment, he was already drawing primitive sequential illustrations intended to be viewed in a specific order, unknowingly creating storyboards as a child. He credited his parents for encouraging that creative curiosity by repeatedly taking him to the movies and discussing films afterward, exposing him at an early age to directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and helping him understand that filmmaking itself could become a profession. Watching Disney's The Jungle Book at the age of eleven proved especially transformative, inspiring him to pursue animation after realizing that artists were actually paid to imagine how characters like Bagheera should move and behave. That childhood fascination with cinematic language continues to shape every project he undertakes, regardless of whether it is animated or live action.

What's Next for Brad Bird After Ray Gunn ?
 
As the discussion drew to a close, Bird briefly teased another mysterious project currently in development. While refusing to reveal specific details, he confirmed that his next directing effort after Ray Gunn would combine live action with animation, suggesting yet another ambitious departure from his previous work. Beyond that, however, the filmmaker remained intentionally secretive, preferring to keep audiences focused on the projects that are now finally becoming reality after years of anticipation.

If one message resonated throughout Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey, it was that patience, curiosity and creative conviction have defined every stage of Bird's remarkable career. From the commercial disappointment of The Iron Giant to the Academy Award-winning success of The Incredibles and Ratatouille, from his triumphant leap into live action with Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol to the decades-long struggle to bring Ray Gunn to the screen, Bird has consistently refused to compromise the stories he believes in. That unwavering commitment was evident in every answer, every anecdote and every laugh shared with the Hall H audience.

The exclusive footage of Ray Gunn demonstrated that the wait may well have been worth it. Combining breathtaking world-building, expressive animation, noir-inspired storytelling and an emotional core supported by the unmistakable music of Michael Giacchino, the film already looks unlike anything currently being produced in animation. At the same time, Bird's continued involvement with The Incredibles 3, his renewed optimism for 1906, and his hints about future live-action projects make it clear that one of cinema's greatest storytellers has no intention of slowing down. For fans attending San Diego Comic-Con 2026, the panel wasn't simply a celebration of an extraordinary career—it was a reminder that Brad Bird remains as ambitious, inventive and passionately committed to storytelling today as he was when he first began exploring the possibilities of animation more than half a century ago.

Why Brad Bird Remains One of Animation's Greatest Visionaries
 
If San Diego Comic-Con 2026 proved anything, it is that Brad Bird remains one of the industry's most influential creative voices—not because of the number of films he has directed, but because of the uncompromising standards he applies to every project. Throughout the panel, Bird repeatedly returned to the same philosophy that has guided his career since his days studying under Disney legend Milt Kahl: never stop exploring the possibilities. That mindset has allowed him to move seamlessly from hand-drawn animation to CGI, from Pixar to live action, and now back to an ambitious animated noir unlike anything currently in production.

It also explains why his filmography remains remarkably selective. Unlike many contemporary filmmakers, Bird has never chased quantity. Instead, every project has required years—sometimes decades—of development, refinement and perseverance before reaching audiences. Whether discussing The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol or Ray Gunn, Bird consistently emphasized that stories dictate the technology, not the other way around. Animation, for him, is not a genre aimed solely at children but a cinematic language capable of delivering emotional, dramatic and visually spectacular experiences for audiences of every age.

That philosophy is clearly reflected in Ray Gunn. Beyond its striking Art Deco-inspired aesthetic, retro-futuristic world and noir detective narrative, the film represents the culmination of an idea Bird has carried for more than thirty years. Its blend of science fiction, mystery, action and heartfelt character drama appears designed to reward repeat viewings, with every frame packed with visual information and storytelling details. Combined with a score by Michael Giacchino and a voice cast led by Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits, the film already stands out as one of Netflix Animation's most ambitious productions to date. Bird's continued hope that the film will also receive a theatrical release reflects his confidence that its visual scale deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.

Fans also left Hall H reassured that The Incredibles 3 remains in excellent hands. While Peter Sohn will direct the sequel, Bird's active involvement as co-writer and co-producer ensures that the creative DNA of Pixar's beloved superhero franchise will remain intact. His refusal to reveal story details only heightened anticipation, reinforcing the impression that Pixar is taking its time to develop another worthy chapter rather than rushing a sequel to satisfy audience demand.

Perhaps the most exciting revelation, however, was Bird's confirmation that he already knows what he wants to direct after Ray Gunn. Although he remained deliberately vague, revealing only that the project combines live action and animation, the announcement suggests that his creative curiosity continues to evolve rather than revisit familiar territory. Combined with his renewed interest in adapting 1906 as an eight-episode limited series, Bird's future slate demonstrates a filmmaker still eager to challenge both himself and audiences.

As Hall H erupted into applause at the conclusion of Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey, the feeling was unmistakable. This was not simply a nostalgic celebration of past successes, but a reminder that one of Hollywood's greatest storytellers is entering another exciting chapter of his career. More than thirty years after first imagining Ray Gunn, Brad Bird finally appears ready to share one of his most personal creations with the world. Judging by the enthusiastic reaction from Comic-Con attendees, the wait may have produced something truly special.

With Ray Gunn scheduled to debut on Netflix on December 18, The Incredibles 3 moving steadily through development, and new creative ventures already on the horizon, Brad Bird continues to demonstrate that great storytelling knows no artistic boundaries. For animation fans—and cinema lovers in general—his Hall H appearance served as both a celebration of an extraordinary legacy and an exciting glimpse at what comes next.

Filmography : 
1999 - The Iron Giant
2004 - The Incredibles
2007 - Ratatouille
2011 - Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
2015 - Tomorrowland
2018 - Incredibles 2
2026 - Ray Gunn

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Photos and video 4K :  Boris Colletier / Mulderville