‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Could Find New Life with ‘Day the Earth Blew Up’ Distributor

The cancelled movie, Coyote vs. Acme, could potentially make its way onto screens again. Independent studio Ketchup Entertainment is considering acquiring the rights to this film, featuring Will Forte and John Cena alongside an animated Wile E. Coyote in a starring role.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve been eagerly following the ongoing talks between Ketchup and Warner Bros. regarding the potential theater release of our much-anticipated project. However, the final outcome is yet to be determined as it remains unclear if this deal will indeed seal. Warner Bros., being the gracious hosts of our dream, chose not to share any comments on the matter at this time.

Ketchup, a brand known for more than just condiments, once played a role in bringing Looney Tunes films to the big screen. They distributed the movie “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Loony Tunes Movie” when Warner Bros. Discovery decided to sell the film instead of premiering it themselves. The movie was released widely over the weekend and has so far grossed $5.5 million worldwide.

Ketchup is involved in various productions, including the movies “Hellboy: The Crooked Man”, starring Ben Affleck, the thriller “Hypnotic”, and Michael Mann’s film “Ferrari”.

On November 10, 2023, the highly anticipated $70 million production titled “Coyote vs. Acme” turned into Hollywood’s hottest topic after The Hollywood Reporter (THR) disclosed that Warner Bros. planned to abandon the movie. This announcement sparked immediate backlash, with various filmmakers instructing their representatives to cancel meetings at the studio. In response to the uproar, Warner Bros. eventually changed its mind and permitted director Dave Green to market the film to other potential buyers – an action that Green had been preparing for when Warner Bros. unexpectedly decided to terminate the project.

Green presented the movie to several potential buyers, and it’s been reported that at least one offer came close to $40 million. However, Warner Bros. Discovery chose not to purchase, and in February 2024, the company recorded a loss of approximately $115 million on unspecified projects, which likely included “Coyote vs Acme”.

The tale of “Coyote vs. Acme” unfolded 15 months subsequent to the surprising announcement made by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who cancelled “Batgirl” and “Scoob! Holiday Haunt” as a means to secure tax deductions in Hollywood.

Forte expressed his admiration for the film last month, stating that it’s a real gem deserving of greater recognition. He couldn’t explain why it wasn’t released, but he admitted that the decision left him feeling frustrated.

Deadline first reported the negotiations.

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2025-03-19 20:24