Coyote vs. Acme, the live-action/animated hybrid that Warner Bros. nearly shelved for a tax write-off in 2023, finally reaches UK cinemas on August 21 after Ketchup Entertainment acquired distribution rights for a reported $50 million (£37m). The film, which premieres in US cinemas on August 28, has been praised as a smart, heartfelt revival of the Looney Tunes franchise, with critics noting it surpasses the beloved 1996 classic Space Jam.
From Shelved to Saved: A $50 Million Rescue
Warner Bros. initially completed the film in 2023 but opted to shelve it, a decision that also affected Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. Public outcry prompted the studio to allow filmmakers to shop the movie to other distributors, leading to Ketchup Entertainment's acquisition. The film's journey from near-cancellation to theatrical release underscores the tension between Hollywood's financial priorities and audience demand.
Based on satirist Ian Frazier's 1990 New Yorker article, the film follows Wile E. Coyote as he sues Acme Corporation for corporate malfeasance and liability, citing 77 years of disastrous products that caused 'personal injury, loss of business income, and mental suffering' in his pursuit of the Road Runner. The premise, described as whip-smart and simple, offers a fresh take on the classic cartoon trope.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The film features Will Forte as Kevin Avery, a lazy lawyer who reluctantly takes Wile E. Coyote's case, with Lana Condor as his niece Paige. John Cena plays Buddy Crane, Acme's sharkish chief legal counsel, while Eric Bauza and Jim Cummings provide voice work for the Looney Tunes characters. Director Dave Green and screenwriter Samy Burch, an Oscar nominee for May December, craft a story that blends humor with heart, drawing comparisons to Disney's Aladdin and 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
Foghorn Leghorn appears as Acme's unscrupulous CEO, adding to the film's David-and-Goliath dynamic. The movie includes clever details, such as animated pencils quivering in fear when Cena's character snaps one, and gags for adults, including a nod to the omelette-and-eggs idiom in front of Foghorn.
Critical Reception and Box Office Potential
Reviewers have lauded the film's universal appeal, noting it works for both children and adults. The comparison to Space Jam is inevitable, given the similar premise of Looney Tunes interacting with humans, but Coyote vs. Acme is deemed better due to its clever concept and strong screenplay. The film's release marks a significant moment for fans who campaigned against its shelving, and its success could influence future studio decisions on completed projects.
Coyote vs. Acme is in UK and Irish cinemas from August 21 and US cinemas from August 28. The film's release is a testament to the power of public demand in shaping Hollywood's distribution strategies, and it remains to be seen if it will achieve the cultural phenomenon status of its predecessors.
