Warner Bros. shelved 'Coyote vs. Acme' before indie distributor Ketchup Entertainment secured its theatrical release for Aug. 28

The comedy-action hybrid "Coyote vs. Acme," directed by Dave Green, will debut in U.S. theaters on Aug. 28 after a turbulent production history. Warner Bros. completed the film in 2022 as an HBO Max original but shelved it in November 2023, designating it a tax write-off. Following an online fan campaign, independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights for $50 million last year and scheduled a Comic-Con screening in July.

Green, who watched the film for the first time in three years at the San Diego Convention Center, said he was initially reluctant to attend the screening but was persuaded by producer Chris DeFaria. "He reminded me, ‘This is the reason why we do what we do,’" Green recalled, adding that the audience response was overwhelmingly positive.

The project, based on Ian Frazier’s 1990 New Yorker piece, was originally championed by James Gunn and developed at Warner Bros. as a Looney Tunes-themed legal comedy. Green’s vision blended live-action courtroom drama with animated sequences, drawing inspiration from classic films such as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "The Insider." Screenwriter Samy Burch and producer DeFaria noted that the team fought to retain several unconventional elements, including an animated cameo by Peter Lorre.

Production took place in Albuquerque in spring 2022, and post-production continued in London amid Warner Bros.’ merger with Discovery. The studio’s later decision to write off completed projects, including "Batgirl," raised concerns that "Coyote vs. Acme" would never be released. After the write-off, DeFaria contacted Green, who issued a statement expressing disappointment but emphasizing perseverance.

Ketchup Entertainment, known for handling specialty titles, stepped in as the film’s new distributor, describing the acquisition as a significant risk. Industry figures such as Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Gunn publicly praised the film’s quality, countering narratives that the shelving reflected creative failure.

Green remains optimistic about future projects, noting that his experience on "Coyote vs. Acme" reinforced his willingness to pursue ambitious, genre-blending stories despite corporate uncertainties.