Exciting news for fans of the Looney Tunes universe: Coyote vs. Acme, the Warner Bros. film that was thought to be indefinitely shelved, may soon see the light of day, according to Deadline. The Los Angeles-based independent film production and distribution company, Ketchup Entertainment, is reportedly in deep negotiations to acquire the completed film. If the deal goes through, audiences can look forward to a theatrical release in 2026.
Originally announced in 2022, Coyote vs. Acme draws its inspiration from a 1990 Ian Frazier New Yorker article. The film, co-written by James Gunn and starring Will Forte and John Cena, was initially slated for a mid-2023 release on Max. However, despite completing production, it was unexpectedly shelved, sparking a dedicated campaign to save it.
Ketchup Entertainment has a track record of rescuing films from the brink, most notably with Warner Bros.' The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. By securing its theatrical release in the US, Ketchup ensured that this film, the first fully animated Looney Tunes movie to hit theaters, became a "laugh-out-loud riot," as per IGN's review.
Ketchup Entertainment's portfolio includes other notable releases such as Hellboy: The Crooked Man and the Robert Rodriguez thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck. Additionally, they co-produced Michael Mann's 2023 Ferrari biopic. With their history of bringing unique films to the big screen, fans are hopeful that Coyote vs. Acme will soon join the ranks of these cinematic successes.
