After years of uncertainty, the long-shelved Warner Bros. hybrid feature Coyote vs. Acme has finally secured a distribution partner in Ketchup Entertainment, a move that brings relief to filmmakers and fans who have championed the project’s release since its cancellation.
Originally slated for HBO Max before the platform’s rebranding to Max, Coyote vs. Acme was completed in 2022 and featured a blend of live-action and animation with a cast including John Cena, Lana Condor, and Will Forte. The plot centers on Wile E. Coyote filing a lawsuit against Acme Corporation over its notoriously defective products — a tongue-in-cheek legal comedy based on a 1990 satirical New Yorker article by Ian Frazier.
Despite the film being in post-production and test screenings reportedly yielding positive results, Warner Bros. announced in late 2023 that Coyote vs. Acme would be pulled entirely. The decision, made under cost-saving measures and a shifting strategy toward theatrical releases, sparked outcry within the creative community and wider public, leading to the #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme movement across social media.
Now, with Ketchup Entertainment stepping in, the film is back on track for global distribution. Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup, called the film “a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling” and emphasized its broad appeal. The distributor is also behind other animation-forward projects such as The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, suggesting a vested interest in revitalizing classic Warner Bros. properties for today’s audiences.
The acquisition marks the end of a months-long bidding process, during which multiple parties were reportedly interested. While an official release date has not been announced, the confirmation of distribution all but guarantees that audiences will finally see the long-completed film that nearly became a casualty of corporate restructuring.
“We’re thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide,” West said in a press release. “We believe it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
This development is viewed by many as a win for filmmakers and artists affected by studio decisions made behind closed doors. The rescue of Coyote vs. Acme stands as a symbol for the growing demand for transparency and creative accountability in the entertainment industry.
Sources: IGN
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