The film that was almost buried alive: The crazy story of "Coyote vs. Acme"
A 70-million-dollar film was finished and ready for release, but Warner Bros. decided to shelve it for a tax write-off. The ensuing Hollywood backlash turned the movie into a symbol of the struggle between creators and corporations, leaving it in a vault for three years until a miracle brought it to the screen.
You haven't heard a story like that of the new film "Looney Tunes: Coyote vs. Acme." It’s not just about the technique—a blend of live-action and animation—or the plot about a coyote finally fighting back against the corporation that makes his life a living hell. The story is unique because, after the film was completed, reality mimicked the script: the movie, which was meant to hit screens three years ago, found itself battling a corporation that turned the lives of its creators into a nightmare.
Everyone knows Wile E. Coyote from the "Looney Tunes" shorts. Since 1949, he has tried to catch the Road Runner using ACME traps, rockets, and magnets. Every attempt ended in disaster, and in "Coyote vs. Acme," the hero decides the problem isn't him, but the faulty products. He takes ACME to court. The result is a 70-million-dollar feature starring Will Forte and John Cena.
In 2023, following successful test screenings, Warner Bros. abruptly announced it would not release the film. The official reason was a strategic shift, but in reality, the studio intended to shelf the project to claim a tax write-off of about 30 million dollars. "It is complete bullshit that a studio shelves the creative work of hundreds of people for a fucking tax write-off," director Scott Derrickson tweeted.
This wasn't the first time: Warner had previously shelved "Batgirl" and "Scoob! Holiday Haunt" for similar reasons. However, in the case of "Coyote," public pressure worked. Following an outcry from fans and industry professionals, the studio allowed the creators to seek a new distributor. In March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired the global rights, and the film finally reached audiences.
The film's marketing campaign now openly embraces this scandal, turning the production's history into part of its mythology. Will it recoup its investment? Forecasts are modest, but the film's release is a victory for common sense and justice over cynical corporate accounting.
