Warner Bros. Shelves Hybrid Film, Indie Distributor Revives It for Release

Warner Bros. Discovery announced in early November 2023 that it would write off the $30 million tax expense for the hybrid live-action/animation comedy "Coyote vs. Acme," effectively shelving the film. Actor Will Forte, who stars as a personal-injury lawyer, said he received a call the day before the decision indicating the movie was testing well, only to learn it was being dropped the next day.

Six days later the cast and crew held a private screening on the Warner Bros. lot, describing the event as a "funeral screening" for the project. Forte recalled that the audience reaction at the screening was positive, contradicting the studio’s assessment.

After public interest grew, the film was sold to independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment for an estimated $50 million. The company plans to release the movie nationwide on Friday.

Screenwriter Samy Burch expressed relief that the film would finally reach audiences, noting that it had been in development for decades, based on Ian Frazier’s 1990 New Yorker humor piece. Director Dave Green said the team never lost hope, believing the movie’s quality would eventually be recognized.

"There was always a flicker of hope, and I don’t think we ever gave up on that," Green said. He added that Warner Bros. offered only a brief explanation, citing a change in strategy.

The film follows Forte’s character, Kevin Avery, who represents Wile E. Coyote in a lawsuit against Acme Corp. The story blends courtroom drama with the slapstick tone of the classic Looney Tunes cartoons, featuring a non-verbal Wile E. operated by puppeteer David Barclay.

James Gunn, who helped develop the project, said his involvement stemmed from a long-standing affection for the character. Green cited influences ranging from courtroom dramas such as "The Verdict" to the live-action/animation hybrid "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," aiming to balance darker stakes with comedic absurdity.

The production faced additional setbacks when Warner Bros. also wrote off other nearly completed titles, including "Scoob! Holiday Haunt" and "Batgirl," but no buyer has yet rescued those films.

"Coyote vs. Acme" is positioned as an underdog story both on screen and behind the scenes, reflecting the filmmakers’ effort to bring a beloved cartoon property to the big screen after corporate decisions threatened its release.