Coyote Vs. Acme rose from the dead after being shelved by a major studio, and finally opened in theaters this weekend.
In 2015, James Gunn pitched a film inspired by Ian Frazier’s popular 1990 New Yorker article, which told the story of Wile E. Coyote’s lawsuit against the Acme Corporation for its faulty products. Warner Bros. Pictures picked up the cartoon/live-action hybrid and the ball started rolling in 2018. Jon and Josh Silberman were brought on to write the screenplay and Dave Green was brought on to direct. Live-action cast members John Cena, Will Forte, and Lana Condor also entered the fray.
The film was shot in 2022 and was set to release in July 2023. However, Warner Bros. pushed the movie’s premiere in favor of Barbie. In November 2023, WB shelved Coyote Vs. Acme and collected a $30 million tax write-off.
While the clever Looney Tunes feature appeared dead in the water, fans took up its cause. There was massive backlash against WB and a groundswell of support for the movie, with the #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme campaign. In March 2025, the independent studio Ketchup Entertainment bought distribution rights for Coyote Vs. Acme for about $50 million, and it’s now finally in theaters. Viewers who supported the film during its tumultuous journey to theaters will want to stick around for a dedicated post-credit surprise.
Why You Should Stay For Coyote Vs. Acme’s Credits
Coyote Vs. Acme does not have a post-credit scene. So, audience members sticking around for additional Tune-fueled antics will be disappointed. However, fans who followed and supported the film through its winding journey to theaters may want to stick around through the credits. The Coyote Vs. Acme filmmakers have a special, final message for the movie’s longtime supporters.
As the credits come to a close, a heartwarming dedication appears: “Dedicated to everyone who posted, shared, held up signs, and spoke out when it counted. This film made it to the big screen because of you.” The sweet message is a sitting button to an inspiring underdog story. While the movie was initially shelved by a major company for tax purposes, individual fans saved the production and helped bring it to theaters through strong campaigning. The success of Coyote Vs. Acme, which has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, is a group effort by the filmmakers and fans.
Does Coyote Vs. Acme Set Up A Sequel?
The ending of Coyote Vs. Acme does not explicitly set up a sequel. Wile E. Coyote’s story comes to a satisfying and surprisingly emotional conclusion in the film. However, the movie’s universe—in which humans and cartoons co-exist—offers plenty of fodder for additional antics. Future films in the Coyote Vs. Acme-verse could follow Coyote’s lawyer (Will Forte) as he represents additional clients.
In an August 19 interview with Men’s Journal actors Forte and John Cena expressed interest in a Coyote vs. Acme sequel. “The answer for a sequel for me is absolutely yes,” Cena said. “Boy, would I love to get the band back together. That’d be fantastic.” Forte agreed, saying, “Yeah. 100 percent.”
Considering the film’s positive reviews and strong viewer support, there is hope for a follow-up to the miracle movie. Now, it may all come down to how the feature performs at the box office. Ketchup Entertainment’s Coyote Vs. Acme is in theaters now.
