After years of delays, a major studio rejection, and a $50 million acquisition deal, the first official trailer for “Coyote vs. Acme” has finally been released. Directed by Dave Green, this live-action/animation hybrid is now set for a global theatrical release on August 28, 2026.
Marking an extraordinary comeback for a project that Warner Bros. shelved without release in 2023.
Written by Samy Burch, the screenplay is inspired by a fictional 1990 article published in The New Yorker. The premise centers on Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation for repeated product failures that sabotaged his relentless pursuit of Road Runner.
Will Forte stars as struggling attorney Kevin Avery, who takes on Coyote’s case. John Cena plays his former boss and opposing counsel, Buddy Crane. Lana Condor appears as Kevin’s niece, Paige Avery, who also serves as his legal intern and plays a key role in the case. Luis Guzmán portrays the deadpan judge presiding over the trial.
The film also features iconic Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig — all voiced by Eric Bauza, a creative decision that honors the franchise’s legacy.
Interestingly, the original concept was pitched to Warner Bros. around 2015 by James Gunn, years before its public announcement. Gunn later served as a producer and received story credit. The situation gained an ironic twist after Gunn became co-head of DC Studios — the same studio ecosystem that ultimately shelved his long-cherished project.
For its visual style, the creative team drew major inspiration from the 1988 classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit, widely regarded as a benchmark for blending live-action and animation.
Originally developed for HBO Max, the film was completed on a budget of approximately $70 million. Warner Bros. had initially scheduled a theatrical release for July 21, 2023, but reassigned that date to Barbie. That film went on to gross over $1.4 billion worldwide, while Coyote vs. Acme remained shelved.
In November 2023, under CEO David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery officially canceled the release to claim an estimated $30 million tax write-off — a strategy also applied to completed films like Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt.
Following the announcement, the cast and crew held a symbolic “funeral screening” for the film — treating it like a lost work. Lana Condor later revealed details of that emotional event in a January 2025 interview.
In March 2025, independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the film for $50 million. The company had previously brought The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie to theaters, making it a fitting home for this long-delayed project.
