‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Star Will Forte, Director Celebrate Film Finally Hitting Theaters After Being Shelved by Warner Bros.: “Proof Movies Don’t Just Go Away”

by | Aug 29, 2026 | Entertainment

‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Star Will Forte, Director Celebrate Film Finally Hitting Theaters After Being Shelved by Warner Bros.: “Proof Movies Don’t Just Go Away”

Coyote vs. Acme has reached theatrical release following an extended period of industry uncertainty. The film is a hybrid live-action and animated production set in the Looney Tunes universe, centering on Wile E. Coyote’s legal action against the Acme Corporation over defective products used in his pursuit of the Road Runner. The cast includes Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor, Eric Bauza and Martha Kelly.

The movie’s path to theaters proved unconventional. Warner Bros. shelved the project in November 2023 after completing production, citing a strategic pivot toward theatrical releases rather than streaming content. The studio reportedly planned to claim approximately $30 million in tax write-offs related to the decision, with the film estimated to have cost roughly $70 million in production.

The shelving decision generated significant public reaction, with fans, industry figures and cast members advocating openly for the film’s release. In March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights from Warner Bros. in a transaction valued at approximately $50 million, establishing the basis for a theatrical rollout.

Director Dave Green marked the release with a statement acknowledging the collective effort involved in bringing the film to audiences. Producer James Gunn similarly reflected on the project’s journey, characterizing the director’s response to adversity as instrumental in the film’s eventual survival and describing the production as too significant to remain unreleased. Star Will Forte expressed gratitude toward supporters, noting that community backing proved essential to realizing the theatrical release.

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