There may be no recent entertainment news story more controversial than what happened to Coyote Vs Acme, the hybrid animated / live-action Looney Tunes movie that was supposed to come out in theaters in 2023. The film had massive buzz, with the few critics who saw it raving…but that seemed to mean nothing to new Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav, who needed quick cash to pay off the debt left over from previous owners AT&T. Despite VERY public demand to release the film, Zaslav instead chose to shelve it and file a tax writeoff.
Originally, three separate Looney Tunes movies were put into production by AT&T in 2019, intended for release on HBO Max: Coyote Vs. Acme, The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, and a third film called Bye-Bye Bunny which was never completed. The first two films were eventually graduated to WB’s theatrical schedule…and then removed.
But fans never lost hope, and after the small outfit Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights to The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, there was immediate desire for that OTHER film to be rescued. Looks like it has come to pass. Multiple media outlets are now reporting Coyote Vs Acme finally has a promised release on the horizon, thanks to the efforts of Ketchup.
“We’re thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide,” says Ketchup CEO Gareth West. “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.”
The plan is for Coyote Vs Acme to be released in theaters sometime in 2026. We’ll keep you posted when we learn more!