What a long, strange, treacherous road it’s been for Coyote vs. Acme. First announced in 2022, the then-Warner-Bros. film is based on a New Yorker piece in which Wile E. Coyote sues the Acme Company on account of how its troubled products have hindered his attempts to catch the Road Runner. John Cena (The Peacemaker, pictured above) signed on to star as the lawyer representing Acme, and Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) to direct. The screenplay is by Samy Burch, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter who co-wrote Todd Haynes’ May December; the film also stars Will Forte and Lana Condor.
But then Warner Bros. did what Warner Bros. keeps doing, and shelved the film. The uproar was loud, fascinating, and continuous—and has finally led to a positive outcome. Today, Ketchup Entertainment picked up the film. In a statement quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, Ketchup CEO Gareth West said, “We’re thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide. Coyote vs. Acme is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling, capturing the essence of the beloved Looney Tunes characters while introducing them to a new generation. We believe it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
Ketchup also recently released The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, another casualty of Warner Bros.’ choices. According to Deadline, Coyote vs. Acme is likely to land in theaters in 2026.
