Coyote vs. Acme set for theatrical release after being shelved

The Looney Tunes film ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is set for a theatrical release following a high-profile saga of corporate shelving. Originally completed in 2022, the live-action/animation hybrid was shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023 as part of a tax write-off. After significant fan backlash and a distribution deal with Ketchup Entertainment for a reported $50 million, the film is scheduled to hit theaters in late August 2026.

Directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch, the film is based on Ian Frazier’s 1990 New Yorker article. The plot follows Wile E. Coyote as he sues the Acme Corporation for the repeated failure of its products. The cast includes Will Forte as attorney Kevin Avery, John Cena as Acme attorney Buddy Crane, and Lana Condor.

Early critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The film debuted with a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics comparing its integration of animation and live-action to ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’. While some critics found the script lackluster, many praised the film as a smart, funny, and meta commentary on corporate decision-making.