It appears that Coyote vs. Acme, once presumed lost to the annals of Hollywood shelved projects, may finally find its way to theaters after all. According to a recent report from Deadline, independent distributor and financier Ketchup Entertainment is in the late stages of negotiations to purchase the much-anticipated live-action/animated hybrid film from Warner Bros. The deal is said to be valued at approximately 50 million dollars—a significant figure indicating that Ketchup Entertainment is placing a substantial bet on the potential success of this Looney Tunes adaptation.
Fans of the iconic Wile E. Coyote and the Acme Corporation have been holding their breath ever since the film was shelved as a result of Warner Bros. taking a tax write-off on multiple projects. Despite encouraging test screenings, Coyote vs. Acme was unexpectedly pulled from release, prompting considerable backlash across the industry. In fact, it was grouped alongside other shelved Warner Bros. films, including Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt!, which were likewise written off under the studio’s strategic cost-cutting measures.
What makes this acquisition stand out is that Ketchup Entertainment has already proven its willingness to rescue major Looney Tunes properties. The distributor previously stepped in to give The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie a theatrical release, much to the relief of fans who feared the beloved characters’ adventures would never see the light of day. Over the past few years, Ketchup has also been involved in several notable films such as Weekend in Taipei, Goodrich, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, Memory, Ferrari, Hypnotic, and Bushwick, showcasing its diverse approach to film financing and distribution.
The potential new home for Coyote vs. Acme has been enough to generate fresh excitement among the cast and crew, who likely never expected to see their hard work resurrected. Headlining the project are comedic stalwart Will Forte (MacGruber; The Last Man on Earth; Nebraska) and action star John Cena (Peacemaker; The Suicide Squad; Fast X). Rounding out the cast is a vibrant ensemble that includes Lana Condor (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before; Deadly Class; X-Men: Apocalypse), P. J. Byrne (The Wolf of Wall Street; Big Little Lies; The Legend of Korra), Tone Bell (The Flash; Disjointed; Whitney), Martha Kelly (Euphoria; Baskets; Marriage Story), and Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes Cartoons; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special).
Coyote vs. Acme was directed by Dave Green, based on a screenplay by Samy Burch. Notably, the film also features story input from James Gunn and Jeremy Slater, with Gunn serving as a producer alongside Chris DeFaria. Prior to its shelving, industry insiders reported that test audiences responded positively to the movie, praising its blend of classic Looney Tunes humor with modern comedic sensibilities.
The shelving decision angered many, including some of those directly involved. Will Forte publicly denounced Warner Bros.’ course of action as “[frick]ing bullshit,” while Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse producer Phil Lord argued that the studio’s maneuver to write off entire films for tax benefits was “anticompetitive.” Their objections reflect a broader concern that using creative works as mere financial instruments undermines both the art of filmmaking and the livelihood of those who pour their efforts into such projects.
With this potential distribution deal near completion, fans may soon see an official announcement that Coyote vs. Acme is heading to theaters in 2026. While nothing is set in stone just yet, the very prospect that this film—once considered doomed—could now appear in cinemas is sure to reignite enthusiasm among Looney Tunes aficionados. Meanwhile, many are left wondering whether Batgirl or Scoob! Holiday Haunt! might follow a similar path to resurrection in the future. For now, the fate of Coyote vs. Acme offers a glimmer of hope that sometimes, even in the unpredictable world of Hollywood, entertaining stories and beloved characters can still make their way to the silver screen.