The trailer for “Coyote vs. Acme” has arrived, giving audiences the first clear look at the live-action and animation hybrid before its theatrical release on Aug. 28. The film centers on Wile E. Coyote, who finally takes Acme Corporation to court after years of product failures in his endless chase after the Road Runner.
Dave Green directs the project, which blends courtroom comedy with the Looney Tunes world. Will Forte plays Coyote’s lawyer, while John Cena appears as opposing counsel, setting up a legal battle that moves the familiar cartoon chaos into a modern courtroom.
A long road to theaters
The movie was first developed for HBO Max and finished with a reported budget of about $70 million. Warner Bros. later chose not to release it in 2023 as part of a wider change in distribution strategy under CEO David Zaslav.
That decision drew attention because the film was already complete. It also followed other canceled finished projects, including “Batgirl” and “Scoob! Holiday Haunt,” which made “Coyote vs. Acme” one of the most discussed shelved titles in recent studio history.
What the film is based on
The screenplay comes from Samy Burch and draws inspiration from a 1990 The New Yorker article that imagined a lawsuit against Acme. The movie uses that idea to frame a legal comedy built around one of the most familiar concepts in Looney Tunes history.
Along with Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner lore, the film includes animated appearances from characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. It also brings in lesser-known figures from the franchise, expanding the cartoon universe inside the courtroom setting.
Why the release matters now
Ketchup Entertainment acquired the film in 2025 for a reported $50 million, opening the path to a global theatrical rollout nearly three years after its original planned debut. The shift gave the project a second life after its long delay and made its release one of the more unusual recoveries in recent studio memory.
Forte has said he remains proud of the finished film and hopes its unusual history will help it connect with a wider audience. With the trailer now out and the theatrical launch approaching, “Coyote vs. Acme” is finally positioned to turn a once-canceled release into a real box office event.
