Coyote vs. Acme Film May Hit Theaters Despite Cancellation

Warner Bros.' previously shelved film, Coyote vs. Acme, may finally see the light of day, according to a recent report by Deadline. The Los Angeles-based independent film production and distribution company, Ketchup Entertainment, is reportedly in deep negotiations to acquire the rights to Coyote vs. Acme. This completed film was thought to have been entirely scrapped, but there's now hope for its release.

While the deal is not yet finalized, a successful negotiation could lead to a theatrical release for Coyote vs. Acme in 2026. The film, announced in 2022 and inspired by Ian Frazier's 1990 New Yorker article of the same name, was co-written by James Gunn and features Will Forte and John Cena. Originally slated for a mid-2023 release on Max, the project was unfortunately shelved despite being fully filmed. Since then, a dedicated campaign to save the movie has been actively ongoing.

Ketchup Entertainment has a history of rescuing films from oblivion, as demonstrated with Warner Bros.' The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. They managed to secure this film a theatrical run in the US after it faced a similar fate. This move made The Day the Earth Blew Up the first fully animated Looney Tunes movie to hit theaters, earning praise from IGN 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. They also co-produced Michael Mann's 2023 Ferrari biopic, showcasing their commitment to bringing diverse and engaging films to audiences.