Coyote vs. Acme: From Shelved to Screen After a 'Funeral' Screening

Key points

• Warner Bros. shelved 'Coyote vs. Acme' in November 2023, opting for a $30 million tax write-off instead of releasing the $70 million production.
• Ketchup Entertainment acquired the film from Warner Bros. in March 2025 for an estimated $50 million, securing its theatrical release.
• The film stars Will Forte as an injury lawyer and features a silent, sign-language-using Wile E. Coyote, with John Cena voicing the antagonist.
• Cast and crew held a 'funeral screening' in 2023 to watch the finished film after its cancellation, which director Dave Green described as both emotional and celebratory.
• The movie is currently holding a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though some critics argue it wastes its premise with a tepid courtroom drama.

Background

Our archive notes that public outcry following the 2023 shelving was credited by director Dave Green as a 'miracle' that helped the film find a new distributor. The film's release coincides with a potentially record-breaking summer box office, despite fewer wide releases. Previous coverage highlighted the tension between the film's high critical score and mixed reviews regarding its courtroom drama structure.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and the Los Angeles Times emphasize the emotional journey of the cast and crew, highlighting the 'funeral screening' and the eventual triumph of the film's release. Will Forte and director Dave Green expressed initial devastation but later celebrated the film's quality. In contrast, AP News offers a critical perspective, arguing that the movie wastes its cartoon icons by turning into a disjointed and uneven courtroom drama. While Variety and the LA Times focus on the underdog narrative of the production's survival, AP News questions the artistic merit of the final product.

Why it matters

The release of 'Coyote vs. Acme' marks a significant victory for indie distributors and public advocacy in the face of major studio decisions. It demonstrates how consumer outcry can reverse a studio's financial strategy, leading to a film's eventual release. The movie's success, indicated by its high Rotten Tomatoes score and projected box office, challenges the initial decision by Warner Bros. to shelve the project for tax purposes.

What to watch

The film is set to open in theaters on August 28, 2026, with a projected domestic opening of $7-10 million. Its performance will be measured against other releases like 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and 'The Dog Stars.' The outcome will likely influence future decisions by studios regarding the release of completed but shelved projects.