‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Might Finally See the Light—But Should It?

The journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Directed by Dave Green and produced by DC Studios’ James Gunn, Coyote vs. Acme was initially slated for a July 2023 release. However, Warner Bros. pulled the plug in November 2023, opting to shelve the film entirely in exchange for a $30 million tax write-off. The decision sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting outcry from filmmakers, actors, and fans alike. Test screenings reportedly generated positive feedback, and several major streamers, including Amazon, Apple, and Netflix, expressed interest—though no deals materialized.

This wasn’t Warner Bros.’ first move of the sort. Just a year earlier, they famously axed the $90 million Batgirl film, citing a strategic pivot toward theatrical event films and cost-cutting measures in the wake of the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger. Similarly, Scoob! Holiday Haunt, another completed family-friendly project, was scrapped under similar circumstances. These cancellations marked a clear trend: prioritizing immediate financial benefits over long-term audience goodwill or artistic integrity.

But the studio’s cold calculus has, ironically, turned these projects into mythic relics. Had Coyote vs. Acme been quietly released alongside other mid-tier, IP-heavy features, it might’ve come and gone without much fanfare—a broad, self-referential mashup of Looney Tunes antics and pop culture nods, much like Space Jam: A New Legacy. That film, despite its recognizable characters and celebrity cameos, was widely panned for its bloated pacing and overt corporate sheen. It stumbled at the box office and earned little affection from critics or audiences.

One can’t help but wonder if Warner Bros. saw similar warning signs in Coyote vs. Acme and decided to cut their losses. After all, the premise—a down-on-his-luck lawyer representing Wile E. Coyote in a lawsuit against Acme—sounds like the sort of self-aware, wink-at-the-camera concept that could easily teeter into cloying territory if not handled deftly. With James Gunn involved, there was always potential for sharp writing and creative flair, but there’s no guarantee it would have landed. The fact that no major streamer was willing to meet Warner Bros.’ high asking price suggests some hesitation behind closed doors.

However, scarcity breeds curiosity. By locking the movie away, Warner Bros. inadvertently gave it legendary status. Cast members like John Cena and Will Forte have publicly praised the film’s humor and heart, free from the pressure of box office receipts or Rotten Tomatoes scores. Industry insiders who’ve seen it describe it in glowing terms, comparing it favorably to the likes of Who Framed Roger Rabbit or 2022’s Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers—another nostalgia-fueled, self-referential romp that surprised critics and audiences alike with its cleverness, even if it wasn’t a massive commercial hit.

The question remains: will Coyote vs. Acme actually deliver, or will its posthumous hype prove to be just that? There’s a real possibility the film’s newfound mystique will evaporate once it’s subject to public scrutiny.

As for Warner Bros.’ other lost projects, the outlook is dim. Batgirl, in particular, seems unlikely to resurface, especially with James Gunn spearheading a fresh direction for the DC Universe. Releasing that film now would undermine the studio’s carefully plotted course correction, not to mention open old wounds from a PR standpoint.

At this point, Coyote vs. Acme stands apart as the one shelved project with a fighting chance. Whether it becomes a cult classic or a cautionary tale, its eventual release could serve as a bellwether for how studios handle risk, nostalgia, and creative investment in an era increasingly defined by corporate cost-cutting.

Until then, all we can do is speculate—and maybe root for the underdog Coyote to finally catch a break.