Coyote vs. Acme Rises from the Grave: The Shelved Looney Tunes Film Warner Bros. Tried to Kill Is Back
In a rare Hollywood resurrection, the long-finished and once-doomed Warner Bros. film Coyote vs. Acme has found a lifeline—months after being controversially shelved for a tax write-off. Now, thanks to Ketchup Entertainment stepping in, the live-action/CGI hybrid comedy is getting the theatrical release fans and filmmakers have fought for.
“Coyote vs. Acme” was quietly buried by Warner Bros. in late 2023, even after it had completed production and received strong test screenings. The studio had originally intended to cancel the film entirely to recoup financial losses via a tax break, the same fate that befell other completed projects like Batgirl and Scoob!: Holiday Haunt. But unlike those films, Coyote vs. Acme refused to stay dead.
Outrage followed the decision. Filmmakers, animators, actors, and fans across the industry took to social media to protest what many called a disturbing trend—suppressing art for accounting. The blowback was so fierce that Warner Bros. was forced to reconsider. Over several months, the studio allowed the film to be shopped to outside distributors. And now, in a twist as dramatic as a falling anvil, Ketchup Entertainment has acquired global rights to the finished movie.
Set in a world where Wile E. Coyote finally has enough of Acme’s defective gadgets, the film follows the iconic Looney Tunes character as he hires a human attorney (played by Will Forte) to sue the Acme Corporation. In an unexpected twist, the company assigns their own top lawyer to the case—played by none other than John Cena. What follows is a comedic, high-stakes legal showdown full of cartoon physics, heartfelt moments, and fourth-wall-breaking satire. Directed by Dave Green (Earth to Echo), the film blends a sharp, emotionally resonant script with slapstick chaos, bringing fresh life to beloved animated icons.
The screenplay, originally based on a 1990 New Yorker article by Ian Frazier, was penned by a team of acclaimed writers, including James Gunn, Jeremy Slater, and Samy Burch. Their work balances humor and emotion, grounding Wile E. Coyote’s lifelong struggle in a story that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly relevant.
In a statement, Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup Entertainment, praised the film as “a true crowd-pleaser” and promised that audiences would soon get the chance to see what Warner Bros. almost erased. “We’re thrilled to be part of this film’s journey,” West said, adding that the movie is “a perfect blend of classic IP and modern storytelling.”
It’s a rare happy ending in an industry increasingly dominated by corporate consolidation and algorithm-driven decisions. The return of Coyote vs. Acme is more than just a win for fans—it’s a signal that even in a risk-averse studio system, passion and persistence can still triumph over spreadsheets.
A release date is expected to be announced soon. One thing’s for sure: this time, Wile E. Coyote might finally catch a break.