There may be hope for Coyote vs. Acme yet.
Coyote vs. Acme is the Looney Tunes movie with both live-action and animated components that was initially supposed to be released in 2023. Rather than putting the completed film in theaters, however, Warner Bros. Discovery shelved it and took a $30 million tax write-off instead.
There were initial hopes that Warner Bros. Discovery might sell the movie to other distributors; however, nothing ever came of that. TheWrap reported in February 2024 that Warner Bros. Discover, which is run by CEO David Zaslav, rejected bids from Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount, as Warner Bros. wanted at least $75 million and rejected any counters.
Now, however, things may finally be moving forward with Coyote vs. Acme.
Which company might buy Coyote vs. Acme from Warner Bros. Discovery?
According to Deadline, Warner Bros. Discovery and Ketchup Entertainment are currently negotiating a deal in the $50 million range that would see Ketchup Entertainment acquire the movie’s distribution rights.
“The pact isn’t finalized and there’s still a chance it doesn’t make but it’s heading in the right direction,” Deadline’s article notes. “Should it get over the line, the film would get a theatrical release in 2026.”
Ketchup Entertainment saved The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie from a fate similar to Coyote vs. Acme. That movie was originally supposed to go to HBO Max; however, when the company was restructuring in 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to release it and began shopping it around to other companies. Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights and released it in United States theaters earlier this month. It has received positive reviews from critics; however, it has so far only grossed $5.6 million at the worldwide box office.
Directed by Dave Green, the cast of Coyote vs. Acme includes Will Porte, John Cena, Eric Bauza, Lana Condor, and more.
“[The movie] follows Wile E. Coyote, who, after Acme products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation,” Deadline’s description of the plot reads. “The case pits Wile E. and his lawyer (Forte) against the latter’s intimidating former boss (Cena), but a growing friendship between man and cartoon stokes their determination to win.”
