Exciting news for fans of the Looney Tunes universe: Warner Bros.' shelved film, Coyote vs. Acme, might just make it to the big screen after all. According to Deadline, the Los Angeles-based independent film production and distribution company, Ketchup Entertainment, is currently deep in negotiations to acquire the rights to this completed movie. Previously thought to be entirely scrapped, Coyote vs. Acme could see a theatrical release as early as 2026 if the deal goes through.
Coyote vs. Acme, which was first announced in 2022 and draws its inspiration from a 1990 New Yorker article by Ian Frazier, boasts an impressive creative team. The screenplay was co-written by the acclaimed James Gunn and features performances by Will Forte and John Cena. Originally slated for a mid-2023 release on Max, the film was unfortunately shelved despite being fully completed. Since then, a dedicated campaign to save the movie has been tirelessly pushing for its revival.
Ketchup Entertainment has a history of rescuing films from the brink of oblivion. They recently saved another Warner Bros. project, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, from a similar fate. By securing this film a theatrical run in the US, Ketchup Entertainment not only preserved the movie but also made history by releasing the first fully animated Looney Tunes movie to hit theaters. IGN's review praised it as a "laugh-out-loud riot," underscoring the company's knack for bringing quality entertainment to audiences.
Ketchup Entertainment's portfolio includes other notable releases such as Hellboy: The Crooked Man and the Robert Rodriguez thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck. They also co-produced Michael Mann's 2023 biopic, Ferrari. With such a diverse and successful track record, fans can hope that Coyote vs. Acme will find new life under Ketchup Entertainment's stewardship.
