Indie Distributor Rescues Shelved Warner Bros. Film Coyote vs. Acme for Summer Release

Coyote vs. Acme, a Looney Tunes-inspired legal-thriller hybrid directed by Dave Green, finished production in early 2022 but was later classified as a $30 million write-off by Warner Bros. Discovery during the 2023 merger era. Despite the studio’s decision, a vocal fan campaign and endorsements from filmmakers such as Phil Lord kept the film in the public eye.

Independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment stepped in, paying $50 million for the rights and scheduling a limited debut at Comic-Con followed by a nationwide release on Aug. 28. Green, who watched the film for the first time in three years at the San Diego Convention Center, described the experience as both nerve-wracking and rewarding. Producer Chris DeFaria, formerly Warner’s animation chief, highlighted the movie’s creative strengths and the team’s determination to protect its vision.

The saga reflects broader tensions at Warner Bros. Discovery under David Zaslav, whose recent merger talks and box-office disappointments have drawn scrutiny.