:Coyote vs. Acme

After every product made by the Acme Corporation has backfired on Wile E. Coyote in his pursuit of the Road Runner, down-and-out billboard human attorney Kevin Avery represents Coyote in a lawsuit against Acme. A growing friendship between Coyote and Kevin motivates their determination to win the court case, as it pits them against Buddy Crane, the intimidating boss of Kevin's former law firm, who now represents Acme.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-forte-john-cena-coyote-vs-acme-1235106007/ |title=Will Forte Joins John Cena in Coyote vs. Acme for Warner Bros. |website=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=March 9, 2022 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316054640/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-forte-john-cena-coyote-vs-acme-1235106007/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Alexa |first=Laurén |date=January 22, 2024 |title=First Look Revealed for Resurrected Coyote vs. Acme Feature |url=https://www.awn.com/news/first-look-revealed-resurrected-coyote-vs-acme-feature |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124212604/https://www.awn.com/news/first-look-revealed-resurrected-coyote-vs-acme-feature |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=Animation World Network}}

• Will Forte as Kevin Avery,{{Cite web |last=Farley |first=Lloyd |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Want 'Coyote vs. Acme' To Be Released? Go Buy a Ticket for 'The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie' |url=https://collider.com/the-day-the-earth-blew-up-a-looney-tunes-movie-coyote-vs-acme/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319222705/https://collider.com/the-day-the-earth-blew-up-a-looney-tunes-movie-coyote-vs-acme/ |url-status=live }} Wile E. Coyote's lawyer
• John Cena as Buddy Crane, the Acme Corporation's lawyer
• Lana Condor as Paige Avery,{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Kroll |title=Will Forte And Lana Condor To Co-Star With John Cena In Looney Tunes Live-Action/Animated Hybrid Pic Coyote Vs. Acme |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/will-forte-lana-condor-john-cena-looneytunes-coyote-vs-acme-1234974670/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 9, 2022 |date=March 9, 2022 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310203712/https://deadline.com/2022/03/will-forte-lana-condor-john-cena-looneytunes-coyote-vs-acme-1234974670/ |url-status=live}} Kevin's niece
• P. J. Byrne
• Tone Bell{{Cite tweet |number=1756717454599110731 |user=Kurpanek |title=Some great BTS stuff here! Love the shot of @lanacondor with a real Wile E. impact-crater. @MarthaKelly3 and @toneBell are hilarious! I have stories about every frame and if the movie gets released, I'll hopefully get to tell them. #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme |first=Carsten |last=Kurpanek |date=February 11, 2024 |access-date=June 4, 2024}}
• Martha Kelly

Longtime Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza voices several Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters in the film.{{Cite tweet |number=1742340657178701972 |user=NedThorne |title=@DEADLINE has slightly bad intel (or just fact checkers), as Eric Bauza did NOT voice Wile E. Coyote; in the film, Wile is a silent character, and Eric plays several other roles. But that shouldn't stop you from supporting #releasecoyotevsacme ! #coyotevsacme |first=Ned |last=Thorne |author-link= |date=January 3, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2023 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240103012133/https://twitter.com/NedThorne/status/1742340657178701972 |archive-date=January 3, 2024}} Director Dave Green confirmed that many Looney Tunes characters, outside of Wile E. Coyote himself, will appear "in significant supporting roles and in bit cameos" throughout the film.{{Cite tweet |number=1757951532858015975 |user=dgreenmachine |title=Tons and tons of characters. Both in significant supporting roles, and in bit cameos. Name a character, and they're likely in the movie. |first=Dave |last=Green |author-link=Dave Green (director) |date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2024}}

In August 2018, Warner Bros. Pictures announced the development of a Wile E. Coyote project, titled Coyote vs. Acme, with The Lego Batman Movie (2017) director Chris McKay as producer and Jon and Josh Silberman writing the script.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/warner-bros-wile-e-coyote-movie-finds-its-scribes-in-the-silberman-brothers-1202453704/|title=Warner Bros' Wile E. Coyote Movie Finds Its Scribes In The Silberman Brothers|date=August 28, 2018|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 12, 2022|archive-date=March 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312213512/https://deadline.com/2018/08/warner-bros-wile-e-coyote-movie-finds-its-scribes-in-the-silberman-brothers-1202453704/|url-status=live}} In mid-December 2019, Warner Animation Group hired Dave Green to direct the live-action/animated hybrid film,{{Cite press release |title=Warner Bros. Pictures Greenlights Three Films For Its 2023 Worldwide Theatrical Slate |date=December 23, 2020 |publisher=Warner Bros. |url=https://www.warnerbros.com/news/press-releases/warner-bros-pictures-greenlights-three-films-its-2023-worldwide-theatrical-slate |access-date=January 30, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210001959/https://www.warnerbros.com/news/press-releases/warner-bros-pictures-greenlights-three-films-its-2023-worldwide-theatrical-slate |archive-date=February 10, 2024}} while Jon and Josh Silberman were replaced as screenwriters, but remained producers.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/looney-tunes-coyote-v-acme-director-dave-green-warner-bros-1203440879/ |title=Warner Bros.' Wile E. Coyote Movie Sets Dave Green to Direct (Exclusive) |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217234514/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/looney-tunes-coyote-v-acme-director-dave-green-warner-bros-1203440879/ |url-status=live }} In December 2020, McKay left the project, while Jon and Josh Silberman left their producing roles and returned to screenwriting duties alongside Samy Burch, Jeremy Slater, and James Gunn.{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |date=December 23, 2020 |title=Warner Bros. to Release Mad Max: Fury Road Prequel and The Color Purple Musical in Theaters in 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mad-max-fury-road-color-purple-1234874609/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224022908/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/warner-bros-mad-max-fury-road-color-purple-1234874609/ |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}} Along with the departure of McKay, it was reported that the film draws inspiration from the fictional 1990 New Yorker article of the same name by Ian Frazier. Ultimately, Burch received screenplay credit, based on a story from herself, Slater, and Gunn. Gunn, alongside Tom & Jerry (2021) producer Chris DeFaria, also received final credit as producers on the film, Gunn under his production banner Two Monkeys, A Goat and Another, Dead, Monkey.

In November 2022, Foghorn Leghorn, Granny, Sylvester the Cat and Tweety were confirmed to be in the film.{{cite news |title=John Cena on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ClQ5rpFrRcd/ |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |access-date=August 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211002212/https://www.instagram.com/p/ClQ5rpFrRcd/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=John Cena on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CljD6LiOI0R/}} In December 2022, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam were also confirmed to be in the film.{{cite web |title=John Cena on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl0uJv9OILn/}}{{cite web |title=John Cena on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmHA2LduRMc/ |access-date=August 30, 2024 |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213170411/https://www.instagram.com/p/CmHA2LduRMc/ |url-status=live }} In January 2023, Porky Pig was also confirmed to be in the film.{{cite web |title=John Cena on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPIR_mOJOo/}}

Editor Carsten Kurpanek described the film's story as a "David vs Goliath story" that tackles Wile E. Coyote's persistence in the face of the ACME Corporation's "cynical and casual cruelness of capitalism and corporate greed".{{cite tweet|last=Kurpanek|first=Carsten|title=#CoyoteVsAcme is about a giant corporation choosing stock over empathy, doing nothing "illegal" but morally shady stuff for profit. It's a David vs Goliath story. It's about the cynical and casual cruelness of capitalism and corporate greed. No wonder Warner doesn't want to #releasecoyoteVsACME|user=Kurpanek|number=1755982973583987126|access-date=February 9, 2024|archive-date=February 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211141657/https://twitter.com/Kurpanek/status/1755982973583987126|url-status=live}}

In February 2022, John Cena was cast as the film's main antagonist, described as the lawyer in defense of Acme and the former boss to Wile E.'s lawyer; he previously collaborated with Gunn on the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) projects The Suicide Squad (2021) and Peacemaker (2022).{{cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=February 16, 2022 |title=John Cena to Star in Coyote vs. Acme for Warner Bros. |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-cena-coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-1235095035/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218052957/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-cena-coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-1235095035/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 16, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} The following month, Will Forte and Lana Condor were added to the cast, with Forte starring as Wile E.'s lawyer.{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Will Forte And Lana Condor To Co-Star With John Cena In Looney Tunes Live-Action/Animated Hybrid Pic Coyote Vs. Acme |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/will-forte-lana-condor-john-cena-looneytunes-coyote-vs-acme-1234974670/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310203712/https://deadline.com/2022/03/will-forte-lana-condor-john-cena-looneytunes-coyote-vs-acme-1234974670/ |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Principal photography took place from March to May 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Brandon Trost serving as cinematographer.{{Cite web |last=Kasule |first=Melissa |date=February 22, 2022 |title=Warner Bros.' Coyote vs. Acme set to shoot in New Mexico |url=https://www.kftv.com/news/2022/02/22/coyote-vs-acme-is-set-to-shoot-in-new-mexico |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222144526/https://www.kftv.com/news/2022/02/22/coyote-vs-acme-is-set-to-shoot-in-new-mexico |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook}}{{Cite Instagram |postid=CeJUg_hLC88 |user=mikedfernandez |title=We wrapped Coyote vs. Acme Sat morning! 📸 |date=May 28, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/mikedfernandez/2848898467444305724 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |url-status=live}} The creative team acknowledged Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) as a reference for the film's live-action interaction with animated characters.{{Cite web |last=O'Rourke |first=Ryan |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Will Forte Details What It's Like Starring With the Looney Tunes in Coyote vs. Acme [Exclusive] |url=https://collider.com/coyote-vs-acme-will-forte-comments-looney-tunes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127222347/https://collider.com/coyote-vs-acme-will-forte-comments-looney-tunes/ |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Collider}} New Mexico Film Office director Amber Dodson commented in a press release that the production would "showcase our beautiful city as an already iconic location and setting in the Looney [Tunes] cartoons".{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Live-action movie Coyote vs. ACME filmed in ABQ area |url=https://rrobserver.com/live-action-feature-film-coyote-vs-acme-filmed-in-abq-area/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612152143/https://rrobserver.com/live-action-feature-film-coyote-vs-acme-filmed-in-abq-area/ |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |access-date=August 20, 2022 |website=Rio Rancho Observer}}

File:Coyote vs. Acme frame from Eric Bauza.jpeg and Lana Condor alongside Wile E. Coyote.{{cite news |last=Tapp |first=Tom |title='Coyote vs. Acme' First Photo: Voice Actor Eric Bauza Shares Image From Film |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/coyote-vs-acme-film-first-photo-1235684182/ |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=Deadline |date=December 31, 2024 |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102021503/https://deadline.com/2023/12/coyote-vs-acme-film-first-photo-1235684182/ |url-status=live }}]]

Visual effects and computer animation were provided by DNEG for Wile E. Coyote and other significant Looney Tunes characters.{{Cite web |title=Coyote vs. Acme |url=https://www.dneg.com/show/coyote-vs-acme/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412200910/https://www.dneg.com/show/coyote-vs-acme/ |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |website=DNEG}}{{cite news |last1=Scout |first1=The |title=Career Advice: Working as a Character Modeler and Facial Rigger at a Creative Studio |url=https://discover.therookies.co/2024/07/14/working-as-a-character-modeler-and-facial-rigger-at-a-creative-studio/ |publisher=The Rookies |date=July 14, 2024}} According to Green, the 3D animators worked closely with a team of 2D artists, who guided them with drawn poses and expressions of the characters in order to "[find] the building blocks of performance".{{Cite tweet |number=1757651638209446184 |user=dgreenmachine |title=Our sketchviz team designed poses and expressions in 2d and found the building blocks of performance. 3d and 2d artists worked in tandem, and would all keep a close eye on the originals. A handful of shots were finaled in 2d, and certain characters were handled entirely in 2d. |first=Dave |last=Green |author-link=Dave Green (director) |date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2024}} Editor Carsten Kurpanek explained that "artists would do [black-and-white] line drawings of key poses over a rough edit first", which were later used as reference for visual effects and animation; this process was dubbed "sketchviz" by the crew, bearing similarities to one of Warner Animation Group's previous film Tom & Jerry.@Kurpanek (February 13, 2024). [https://x.com/Kurpanek/status/1757465627919626321 "We called this "sketchviz". Our amazing artists would do b&w line drawings of key poses over a rough edit first, to indicate Wile's actions/gags. Once the edit solidified, they would refine and color, so general audiences during screenings could understand and enjoy what was going on. Later the "sketchviz" became a reference for the animation/VFX."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731001554/https://x.com/Kurpanek/status/1757465627919626321 |date=July 31, 2024 }} – via Twitter. Traditional animation services were also provided by Duncan Studio, for "a handful of shots" with the significant Looney Tunes characters in the film and for "certain [Looney Tunes] characters [who] were handled entirely in 2D".{{cite tweet|last=Kurpanek|first=Carsten|title=Duncan Studios did an incredible job on one of Looney Tunes' most beloved characters. Handdrawn 2D perfection! It would be a shame if the fans didn't get to see it. #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme|user=Kurpanek|number=1760313847725048264|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222000600/https://twitter.com/Kurpanek/status/1760313847725048264|url-status=live}}

Following the announcement of the film's initial cancellation, Steven Price announced that he composed the film's score, and shared a choir rendition of the Road Runner's vocal effects titled the "Meep Meep Choir".{{cite news |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Coyote vs. Acme Composer Shares Hilarious BTS Recording From Movie |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/coyote-vs-acme-composer-shares-hilarious-bts-recording-from-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110164303/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/coyote-vs-acme-composer-shares-hilarious-bts-recording-from-movie/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=ComicBook.com}}

Coyote vs. Acme was planned to be theatrically released in the United States on July 21, 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures. On April 26, 2022, the studio indefinitely removed the film from its release schedule, replacing it with Barbie.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Barbie Heads To Summer 2023 – CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/barbie-coyote-vs-acme-release-date-1235010330/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=April 26, 2022 |date=April 26, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426234202/https://deadline.com/2022/04/barbie-coyote-vs-acme-release-date-1235010330/ |url-status=live}} On March 31, 2025, it was announced that the film is set to be released in 2026, following the film's acquisition by Ketchup Entertainment.{{cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=March 31, 2025 |title=Warner Bros Completes Worldwide Sale Of 'Coyote Vs Acme' |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-sale-complete-ketchup-1236354552/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331143048/https://deadline.com/2025/03/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-sale-complete-ketchup-1236354552/ |archive-date=March 31, 2025 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

On November 9, 2023, Warner Bros. officials announced that the film was completed, but that they would not release it, because Warner Bros. Discovery preferred to claim a tax loss of about $30 million.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Coyote Vs. Acme: Finished Live/Action Animated Pic Shelved Completely By Warner Bros As Studio Takes $30M Tax Write-off |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/coyote-vs-acme-shelved-warner-bros-discovery-writeoff-david-zaslav-1235598676/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109221910/https://deadline.com/2023/11/coyote-vs-acme-shelved-warner-bros-discovery-writeoff-david-zaslav-1235598676/ |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |access-date=November 9, 2023 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} This would make it the third cancelled film by Warner Bros. Discovery following Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. The crew was not informed of the decision until after the film was completed.{{Cite magazine |last=Roundtree |first=Cheyenne |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Coyote vs. Acme Crew Were Blindsided by Warner Bros. Killing Movie |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-crew-blindsided-by-warner-bros-killing-movie-1234873156/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111001302/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-crew-blindsided-by-warner-bros-killing-movie-1234873156/ |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2023}} The move drew criticism from filmmakers, animation outlets, and talent representatives. Several filmmakers left angry phone calls with Warner Bros. expressing their frustration at the move.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Coyote Vs. Acme: Warner Bros Setting Up Screenings For Streamers Of Axed Looney Tunes Film; Amazon A Prime Candidate – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/coyote-vs-acme-amazon-apple-streamer-acquisition-1235601190/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113182037/https://deadline.com/2023/11/coyote-vs-acme-amazon-apple-streamer-acquisition-1235601190/ |url-status=live}} Others also canceled meetings with the studio.{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Hibberd |first2=James |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Warner Bros. Reverses Course on Coyote vs. Acme After Filmmakers Rebel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-wb-warners-canceled-reversal-shop-film-1235645372/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113194813/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-wb-warners-canceled-reversal-shop-film-1235645372/ |url-status=live }} Many noted that the film had drawn praise at test screenings and interest from potential buyers.{{cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Scrapped Coyote Vs. Acme Film Teased in BTS Videos as Creatives Say Warner Bros. Is 'Anti-Art' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/warner-bros-coyote-vs-acme-creatives-backlash-twitter-1234925244/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155242/https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/warner-bros-coyote-vs-acme-creatives-backlash-twitter-1234925244/ |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=IndieWire}}{{cite web |last=Amidi |first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Warner Bros. Shelves Fully-Completed Coyote Vs. Acme For Tax Write-Off |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/warner-bros-shelves-fully-completed-coyote-vs-acme-for-tax-write-off-234691.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Cartoon Brew |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110001607/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/warner-bros-shelves-fully-completed-coyote-vs-acme-for-tax-write-off-234691.html |url-status=live}} Director Dave Green voiced his disappointment over the film's cancellation, further emphasizing his love for the Looney Tunes and writing that "We were all determined to honor the legacies of these historic characters and actually get them right."{{Cite news |last=Dela Paz |first=Maggie |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Coyote vs. Acme Director Voices Out Disappointment Over Cancelation |url=https://www.cbr.com/coyote-vs-acme-director-cancelation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117134343/https://www.cbr.com/coyote-vs-acme-director-cancelation/ |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=Comic Book Resources}}

On November 13, 2023, Puck reported Warner Bros. Discovery leaders had reversed their decision and allowed the filmmakers the option to shop the film to other distributors.{{cite web |last=Belloni |first=Matthew |title=Warners Reverses Course in Coyote vs. Acme Fight |url=https://puck.news/warners-reverses-course-in-coyote-vs-acme-fight/ |website=Puck |date=November 13, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113065200/https://puck.news/warners-reverses-course-in-coyote-vs-acme-fight/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Warner Bros. Will Let Coyote Vs. Acme Filmmakers Shop Movie to Other Distributors |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/coyote-vs-acme-shopped-other-distributors-warner-bros-1234925820/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113172158/https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/coyote-vs-acme-shopped-other-distributors-warner-bros-1234925820/ |url-status=live}} Deadline Hollywood reported that Amazon MGM Studios, Apple Studios, and Netflix were interested in buying the distribution rights to the film.{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Jaden |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Rep. Joaquin Castro Calls Warner Bros. Discovery 'Predatory' for Shelving Coyote vs. Acme, Asks Justice Dept. to 'Review This Conduct' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/joaquin-castro-warner-bros-discovery-coyote-vs-acme-1235790855/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115023922/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/joaquin-castro-warner-bros-discovery-coyote-vs-acme-1235790855/ |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Variety}} TheWrap reported that despite interest from distributors to buy the film, there are "currently no hard offers, and that Green is crafting his own 'PR campaign'".{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Kristen |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Has Coyote vs. Acme Sowed Distrust Between Warner Bros. and Creatives? Analysis |url=https://www.thewrap.com/coyote-vs-acme-creative-backlash-warner-bros/ |access-date=December 2, 2023 |website=TheWrap |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203003103/https://www.thewrap.com/coyote-vs-acme-creative-backlash-warner-bros/ |url-status=live }} On December 8, Deadline Hollywood further reported that the film had been screened for more studios including Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures. Of these, Netflix and Paramount had made bids, with the latter including a theatrical component; Amazon was still interested despite making no formal bids; and Sony and Apple were not planning to make bids.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 8, 2023 |title=Coyote Vs. Acme: Paramount Circling; Amazon Still Possible Contender – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/coyote-vs-acme-paramount-amazon-contenders-1235658240/ |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208081700/https://deadline.com/2023/12/coyote-vs-acme-paramount-amazon-contenders-1235658240/ |url-status=live }}

On February 9, 2024, TheWrap reported that Warner Bros. Discovery had rejected the bids from Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |date=February 9, 2024 |title=The Final Days of Coyote vs. Acme: Offers, Rejections and a Roadrunner Race Against Time |url=https://www.thewrap.com/coyote-vs-acme-update-offers-warner-bros/ |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=TheWrap |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209144208/https://www.thewrap.com/coyote-vs-acme-update-offers-warner-bros/ |url-status=live}} The company wanted $75–$80 million to sell the film, but no distributors met their price, and Warner Bros. Discovery rejected counter bids. The company considered shelving and deleting the film (which remained in limbo at the time) and again claiming it as a tax loss.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=February 10, 2024 |title=Coyote Vs. Acme: With Pic's Fate In Limbo At Warners, Phil Lord Observes, 'How Funny It Would Be For This To End With A Congressional Hearing' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-phil-lord-1235821187/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211010517/https://deadline.com/2024/02/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-phil-lord-1235821187/ |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Mary Kate |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Coyote Vs. Acme is probably getting scrapped anyway |url=https://www.avclub.com/coyote-vs-acme-probably-getting-scrapped-wbd-zaslav-1851243078 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209180545/https://www.avclub.com/coyote-vs-acme-probably-getting-scrapped-wbd-zaslav-1851243078 |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=The A.V. Club}}{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Sabina |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Coyote vs. Acme{{'s}} Fate Might Have Been Sealed by Real Judge Doom David Zaslav |url=https://gizmodo.com/coyote-vs-acme-david-zaslav-warner-bros-getting-shelved-1851244441 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211014227/https://gizmodo.com/coyote-vs-acme-david-zaslav-warner-bros-getting-shelved-1851244441 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=Gizmodo}}{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Coyote vs. Acme{{'s}} Latest Update Spells Very Bad News for Looney Tunes Movie |url=https://www.cbr.com/coyote-vs-acme-unfortunate-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209153644/https://www.cbr.com/coyote-vs-acme-unfortunate-update/ |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources}}{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=February 10, 2024 |title=Warner Bros. Reportedly Set to Shelve and Delete Coyote vs. Acme Film Once and for All |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/warner-bros-reportedly-set-to-shelve-and-delete-coyote-vs-acme-film-once-and-for-all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211103844/https://www.ign.com/articles/warner-bros-reportedly-set-to-shelve-and-delete-coyote-vs-acme-film-once-and-for-all |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=IGN}} Following their Q4 2023 earnings call on February 23, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery took a $115 million write-down while not directly confirming the cancellation of the film.{{Cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=February 23, 2024 |title=As 'Coyote vs. Acme' Hangs in the Balance, Warner Bros. Discovery Takes $115M Write-Down on Mystery Projects |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-discovery-115m-write-down-mystery-projects-1235832120/ |access-date=February 24, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224163424/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-discovery-115m-write-down-mystery-projects-1235832120/ |url-status=live}}

On March 10, 2024, during the red carpet for the 96th Academy Awards, Burch said conversations were still ongoing within Warner Bros. and that "we hope it will somehow find its home and not end up stuck in a vault for the rest of time".{{Cite web |last1=Perella |first1=Vincent |last2=Bergeson |first2=Samantha |date=March 10, 2024 |title='Coyote vs. Acme' Writer Samy Burch Says Film May Still Be Released: Conversations Are 'Ongoing,' but We'd Be 'Heartbroken' If It's Shelved |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/coyote-vs-acme-screenwriter-samy-burch-film-might-be-released-1234952737/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310230223/https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/coyote-vs-acme-screenwriter-samy-burch-film-might-be-released-1234952737/ |archive-date=March 10, 2024 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |website=IndieWire}} In April 2024, a Warner Bros. spokesperson told The New York Times that while the fate of the film is unclear, it "remains available for acquisition".{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=T.M. |date=April 9, 2024 |title=Want to See This Film? Movie Studios Won't Let You. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/magazine/why-coyote-vs-acme-was-not-released.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415050624/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/magazine/why-coyote-vs-acme-was-not-released.html |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}

As with the initial cancellation, TheWrap{{'s}} report on the film's possible final cancellation drew online criticism. The hashtags #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme and #SaveCoyoteVsAcme, along with other hashtags relating to it, started trending on February 9, 2024 (the date of the article's release), and continued to trend for the following weeks. Bauza addressed this in an improvised exchange between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck during his speech at the 51st Annie Awards, with him saying "I hate to be political, but release Coyote vs. Acme!" in Daffy's voice.{{Cite web |last=Fuge |first=Jonathan |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Coyote vs. Acme Star Shares New Images & Gratitude for Support From Fans |url=https://movieweb.com/coyote-vs-acme-eric-bauza-images-release-demand/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=MovieWeb |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226215735/https://movieweb.com/coyote-vs-acme-eric-bauza-images-release-demand/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Looney Tunes Star Pleads "Release Coyote vs. Acme" at Annie Awards: Watch |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/looney-tunes-eric-bauza-release-coyote-vs-acme-annie-awards-watch/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |last=Valdez |first=Nick |website=ComicBook.com |date=February 18, 2024 |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228232804/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/looney-tunes-eric-bauza-release-coyote-vs-acme-annie-awards-watch/ |url-status=live}}

Industry figures who saw Coyote vs. Acme included Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Michael Chaves, and Daniel Scheinert. Lord called the film "wonderful" and "moving", and lamented that Warner Bros.' move was "anticompetitive", while Miller said he "[hoped] several studios go after it so the world can see all the good work people did."{{Cite web |last=Rahman |first=Abid |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Phil Lord, Christopher Miller Praise 'Coyote vs. Acme': "It's Delightful" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/christopher-miller-coyote-vs-acme-1235647548/ |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115033708/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/christopher-miller-coyote-vs-acme-1235647548/ |url-status=live }} Writer-director BenDavid Grabinski claimed it was "the best of its kind since [Who Framed] Roger Rabbit", while filmmaker Brian Duffield, who gave notes on the film, compared it to the studio's own Barbie film, feeling that both "[play] with iconography in a really fun, popcorn kind of way."{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Hibberd |first2=James |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Warner Bros. Reverses Course on 'Coyote vs. Acme' After Filmmakers Rebel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-wb-warners-canceled-reversal-shop-film-1235645372/ |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113194813/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coyote-vs-acme-wb-warners-canceled-reversal-shop-film-1235645372/ |url-status=live }} In an interview with Screen Rant on May 31, 2024, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, directors of the cancelled Batgirl film, revealed that they are both friends with Green and said, "I think that movies must be seen by the audience, and the audience must judge them."{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=T. C. |date=May 31, 2024 |title="Movies Must Be Seen": Batgirl Movie Directors Address Coyote Vs. Acme's Shelving By Warner Bros. |url=https://screenrant.com/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-cancellation-batgirl-directors-response/ |access-date=May 31, 2024 |website=ScreenRant |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602193208/https://screenrant.com/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-cancellation-batgirl-directors-response/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2024, Forte released a public statement addressed to the cast and crew after seeing the final cut of the film: "I know that a lot of you haven't gotten a chance to see our movie. And sadly, it's looking like you never will. When I first heard that our movie was getting 'deleted,' I hadn't seen it yet. So I was thinking what everyone else must have been thinking: this thing must be a hunk of junk. But then I saw it. And it's incredible […] Please know that all the years and years of hard work, dedication and love that you put into this movie shows in every frame. That's all folks."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-forte-coyote-vs-acme-review-1235839616/|title=Will Forte Sad After Finally Watching 'Coyote vs. Acme': "It's Incredible"|last=Hibberd|first=James|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 29, 2024|access-date=February 29, 2024|archive-date=February 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229174715/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-forte-coyote-vs-acme-review-1235839616/|url-status=live}}

In January 2025, Condor revealed the film had a "funeral screening" when news of the initial cancellation was first broken.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/coyote-vs-acme-release-status-funeral-screening-lana-condor-response/|title=Unreleased Coyote vs. Acme Film Held A "Funeral Screening," Reveals Star|website=Screen Rant|date=January 25, 2025|last=Phillips|first=TC}} In February, when asked if the film still had a chance to be released, Bauza responded, "That is the question of the year, and it's only February! I'm going to say yes. If this movie, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie—opening March 14th, in theaters everywhere—gets a lot of money, then we might see Coyote vs. Acme. Stranger things have happened! And if we don't, I am going to put that movie under everyone's seat as a DVD. No, I'm just kidding. I was kidding, David Zaslav. You didn't see that here!"{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/coyote-vs-acme-positive-release-update/|title='Coyote vs Acme' Release Chance Gets Unexpected Positive Outlook from Star|last=Fink|first=Richard|website=MovieWeb|date=February 16, 2025|access-date=February 17, 2025}}

On March 19, 2025, Deadline reported that Ketchup Entertainment was in talks to acquire all rights to the film from Warner Bros. for approximately $50 million, following its acquisition of the North American distribution rights to The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. If negotiations proved to be successful, the film would be scheduled for a theatrical release in 2026.{{cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Warner Bros Negotiating Big Sale Of Shelved 'Coyote Vs. Acme' Movie — The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/coyote-vs-acme-movie-deal-sale-warner-bros-ketchup-1236329381/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319165646/https://deadline.com/2025/03/coyote-vs-acme-movie-deal-sale-warner-bros-ketchup-1236329381/ |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On March 31, Deadline and Ketchup Entertainment confirmed that the sale had been closed, with a statement from Ketchup's CEO reading, "We're thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide. [The film] 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."

On May 8, Deadline reported that the film was set for international sales at the Cannes Film Market through Kinology, with footage available for buyers and a potential market screening.{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=2025-05-08 |title=Beep Beep: ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ Heads To The Cannes Market With Kinology Aboard For International Sales — Hot Project |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/coyote-vs-acme-cannes-market-sale-warner-bros-1236389900/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

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