Coyote vs. Acme Film May Hit Theaters Despite Cancellation

Warner Bros.’ previously shelved movie, Coyote vs. Acme, might finally make its way to audiences, according to a report from Deadline. The Los Angeles-based independent film production and distribution company, Ketchup Entertainment, is reportedly in deep negotiations to acquire the film. Although the deal is not yet finalized, a successful agreement could lead to a theatrical release of Coyote vs. Acme in 2026.

First announced in 2022, Coyote vs. Acme is based on a 1990 New Yorker article by Ian Frazier and was co-written by James Gunn. The film stars Will Forte and John Cena and was originally slated for a mid-2023 release on Max. Despite completing production, the movie was unexpectedly shelved, prompting a dedicated campaign to save it.

Ketchup Entertainment has a history of rescuing films from cancellation. They recently saved Warner Bros.’ The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie from a similar fate, securing it a theatrical run in the US. This film marks the first fully animated Looney Tunes movie to hit theaters, and IGN's review praised it as a "laugh-out-loud riot."

Ketchup Entertainment's portfolio includes other notable projects such as Hellboy: The Crooked Man and the Robert Rodriguez thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck. The company also co-produced Michael Mann's 2023 Ferrari biopic.