In a significant backpedal, Warner Bros. has reversed its decision to shelve the completed Coyote vs. Acme film, and is now allowing an outside distributor to purchase the film after significant public protest, a source confirmed to Rolling Stone.
It’s been a quick turnaround from Thursday when it was first reported that Warner Bros. was using the live-action/animation hybrid starring John Cena and Lana Condor as an estimated $30 million tax write-off instead of moving ahead with a theatrical and/or streaming release.
After filmmakers and crew expressed their shock and disappointment about the decision, and argued that the film was fantastic, plus mounting criticism from veteran filmmakers over Warner Bros.’ pattern of axing projects for the sake of tax benefits, Warner Bros. said on Sunday that it was willing to allow the film to be shopped to other distributors, Puck first reported. (Rolling Stone understands there are several interested buyers, including Amazon Prime.)
The loud public outcry and desire for the film’s release were the key factors in the studio changing its mind, a well-placed source says. “This is total victory,” they say. “I don’t think management ever minds disappointing the people that work for them, but they do mind disappointing their audience.”
This is total victory. I don’t think management ever minds disappointing the people that work for them, but they do mind disappointing their audience.
The news had been a blow to the cast and crew who were effectively blindsided by the studio’s decision. Director Dave Green and top producers had allegedly only been informed after Warner Bros. already underwent the process of writing off the movie, Rolling Stone reported. The movie has been in production since 2020 and is based on Looney Tunes’ Wile E. Coyote and The New Yorker humor article “Coyote v. Acme” by Ian Frazier. It had tested positively with audiences, earning 14 points above the norm for a family film.
Green has not yet publicly commented on the reversal, but in a statement on Thursday had voiced his disappointment and said he was “beyond proud of the final product, and beyond devastated by WB’s decision.”
The film’s editor, Carsten Kurpanek, tells Rolling Stone that he is “elated” and has high hopes the movie “finds a new home quickly.”
“The outcry on social media following the initial announcement clearly shows there is interest and an audience,” he says. “I’m really thankful for all the support we received. Wile E. Coyote has his 75th anniversary next year and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this than with a release of Coyote vs Acme.”
Warner Bros. had originally blamed the decision to not release the film due to “shifting its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases” in light of relaunching its animation department in June. The movie was originally greenlit for HBO Max before it was given a theatrical release date of July 21. However, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie ended up taking over the summer date and the plan for Coyote vs. Acme was unclear until Thursday’s report. If Warner Bros. stuck to its decision, the project would have become the latest casualty in Warner Bros. Discovery and CEO David Zaslav’s cost-cutting campaign across the company. In an effort to recoup some $3 billion in savings, the studio axed the films Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt last year in exchange for tax write-offs.
