Coyote vs Acme Movie Release Still Possible As WB Negotiates Sale

A Looney Tunes movie may have a second chance despite being shelved by Warner Bros. A deal between WB and another studio is being negotiated that would see the infamously canceled movie get a theatrical release.

Coyote vs. Acme is a live-action/animated legal comedy movie that centers on Wile E. Coyote and a lawyer played by Will Forte, who file a lawsuit against the Acme Corporation due to their products consistently failing Wile. E. Coyote in his attempts to capture the Road Runner. Initially scheduled for a theatrical release in July 2023, Coyote vs. Acme was ultimately canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery–despite being finished–so the company could claim a tax write-off. Fans pushed for Warner Bros. to sell Coyote vs. Acme to another studio for distribution, but a deal between potential buyers was unsuccessful.

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Deadline reports that Coyote vs. Acme may have found a distributor in Ketchup Entertainment. The independent film production and distribution company is reportedly negotiating an all-rights acquisition deal in the $50 million range for Coyote vs. Acme. Although the deal between Warner Bros. and Ketchup Entertainment isn’t finalized and could still fall through, the trade reports that the sale is “heading in the right direction.” If the deal is complete, Coyote vs. Acme will be released in theaters in 2026.

Ketchup Entertainment recently gained fame for securing the North American theatrical distribution rights to The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. Similar to Coyote vs. Acme, The Day the Earth Blew Up was initially set to be released on HBO Max and Cartoon Network until Warner Bros. Discovery opted to shop the animated film to other streaming services. Warner Bros. eventually altered course and announced plans to release the film theatrically, with various companies landing theatrical distribution rights in different markets. Fans attempted to boost awareness and interest in The Day the Earth Blew Up, perhaps as a way to ‘stick it’ to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO and president David Zaslav due to his decision to cancel high-profile movies that were finished or near-completion. The Day the Earth Blew Up has currently earned $5.6 million at the box office, significantly far from its $15 million budget despite glowing reviews.

Ketchup Entertainment may have better box office luck with Coyote vs. Acme. The film reportedly received praise during test screenings before it was shelved, and the decision to cancel its theatrical release for a tax write-off sparked a backlash from fans, filmmakers, individuals who worked on the movie, and more. Many voiced their frustration with Warner Bros., directly to the studio in some instances, as the decision to scrap Coyote vs. Acme was widely seen as another example of Hollywood executive greed winning over the hard work of the countless artists who bring a film to life. The campaign to convince Warner Bros. to release Coyote vs. Acme hasn’t been as fervent as the “Release the Snyder Cut” efforts launched by fans who wanted to see Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League. Still, many want to see Coyote vs. Acme in theaters and are willing to pay good money to see it, with at least one fan dressing up as Wile E. Coyote and picketing the Warner Bros. studio lot as recently as March 2025.

Of course, Coyote vs. Acme‘s potential release prompted some fans to wonder if other canceled Warner Bros. movies could be saved. The canceled Batgirl movie is arguably the most famous of the ill-fated projects, but fans probably shouldn’t get their hopes up. Still, Coyote vs. Acme potentially being saved has been welcomed news, and fans are excited that the hardworking cast and crew may finally get to share the film with the world.

Coyote Vs. Acme

Release Date

November 17, 2023

Director

Dave Green

Writers

Samy Burch

Source: Deadline