Netflix Submits Original Song From ‘Ray Gunn’ for Oscars, Written by Kimbra and Performed by Scarlett Johansson (EXCLUSIVE)

Netflix will officially submit “Too Much To Ask” from the animated feature “Ray Gunn” for consideration in the original song category at the Oscars, Variety has learned exclusively.

Directed by Brad Bird, “Ray Gunn” is set in Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, where private eye Raymond Gunn is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova. Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Tom Waits lead the voice cast.

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“Too Much To Ask” is one of three original songs written and produced by singer and songwriter Kimbra. In the film, the song is performed by Johansson. Kimbra, who has two Grammy Awards under her belt and blends pop, rock, R&B and jazz into her music, needed to find a distinct sound for Venus. The idea behind the song was this was Venus’ moment. “We hear everything she’s wanted to say all along,” Kimbra says. She explains that she drew from her own experience within the music industry when approaching the song.

“Venus is not dissimilar to to me in some ways. I’ve also been very blessed to have some real commercial success in my career, but I’ve always wanted to maintain integrity and authenticity in what I do. The music that’s closest to my heart is soul music — music that comes from a place of heartbreak.”

Without spoiling much, Kimbra explains it’s a moment where Venus, one of the biggest popstars in Metropia, says she just wants to be herself. “Is that too much to ask?” Kimbra says, “I was so happy when I wrote that lyric for her because I just felt like I think that’s really all she wants. And you really feel that in the film.”

The song was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra. As for her influences, Kimbra cites a bit of Billie Holiday with a hint of Aretha Franklin. “I was thinking of a ‘Twin Peaks’ mysterious ballad.” The orchestral aspect was a big milestone for her as both a songwriter and producer.

She says, “You can hear the organic nature of those instruments compared to ‘Innocent,’ which is drenched in cookie candy claustrophobic intensity.”

“Innocent” is another song in the film which, unlike the jazzy smooth vibes of “Too Much To Ask,” is an earworm of a pop song. Bird wanted a number that she says, “needed to feel almost like that song you hate so much you love it. It’s so annoyingly good.”

Kimbra drew inspiration from the likes of Britney Spears and Charli XCX. “I loved like the challenge of writing something that was an earworm. I love a lot of hyper pop.” She adds, “I definitely was thinking a lot of Britney, but I also wanted Venus to have her own sound and her own thing and the song had to be bad, but also not bad, because I guess I was protective about her also being a real amazing pop star and so the lyrics verge on very predictable.”

Kimbra also wrote another number for the film, again for Venus. Asked about it, she kept her lips sealed since it reveals a side to Venus that audiences can discover.

As for Johansson, who sings the numbers, Kimbra says she was familiar with the actor’s singing voice. “She tends to sing on a lower register, and so I got so excited at the concept of this being a real expansion for her and getting to explore different sides of herself as a vocalist,” she says.

Kimbra got to see Johansson work on Venus, bringing the character to life through voice work and song. “I have the utmost respect for the way that Scarlett devoted herself and committed to songs that were not straightforward. It’s so amazing to see someone in their craft like turn up that total utter focus, and willingness to step outside of their comfort zone.” She adds, Johansson was “down to explore and give herself to this character and make Venus into a really memorable character.”

The movie is a Netflix and Skydance Animation Production, produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Lisa Beroud.

“Ray Gunn” will be released on Dec. 18.