Warner Bros. releases shelved "Coyote vs. Acme" after industry push
"Coyote vs. Acme," a live-action/animated Looney Tunes film, was shelved by Warner Bros. in 2023 but secured a theatrical release in 2025 following a grassroots campaign and a sale to an indie distributor.
Warner Bros. had planned to debut the hybrid live-action/animated film "Coyote vs. Acme" in July 2023, but in November 2023 the studio announced the movie would not be released, citing a $30 million tax write-off. The $70 million project, which follows Wile E. Coyote suing the fictional Acme Corporation, had completed production and received positive test-screening feedback, yet new CEO David Zaslav’s cost-cutting strategy led to its shelving.
Director Dave Green and producer Chris DeFaria said the decision came without senior executives having seen the finished cut. The cast, including Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor and voice actor Eric Bauza, expressed shock and disappointment. A grassroots effort by industry figures and fans, amplified on social media, prompted Warner Bros. to allow the filmmakers to shop the film.
After negotiations, indie distributor Ketchup Entertainment purchased the movie for an estimated $50 million and scheduled a theatrical release for early 2025. The campaign highlighted concerns about studios discarding completed films for tax benefits, with some lawmakers labeling the practice “predatory.”
The film’s production involved extensive pre-visualization, a life-size Wile E. Coyote puppet for on-set reference, and a blend of practical effects and animation. Despite the setbacks, the creative team remains optimistic about the film’s box-office prospects and its message of perseverance.