Warner Bros' attempt toscrap the completedCoyote Vs. Acmefor a $30 million USD tax write-offis looking all the more disastrous now as several high-profile creatives are speaking out with plenty of love for the film after attending a private screening. Asthe movie is being shopped to prospective buyers, the likes ofTheLego MovieandSpider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseduoChristopher MillerandPhil Lord,Everything Everywhere All At Onceco-directerDaniel Scheinert, andThe Nun IIdirectorMichael Chavesamong others were able to see the film early and share their thoughts online. Among those who did speak out, the sentiment was universal - the Looney Tunes flick is a good time all around.
Before its death and eventual rebirth,Coyote Vs. Acmewas viewed highly internally as it scored well with test audiences. The film starsWill Forteasan unlucky human lawyer recruited by Wile E. Coyoteto help him sue Acme Corporation after all of their products completely failed him in his pursuit of the Road Runner. Together, they must take down Acme’s CEO (John Cena), who also happens to be the attorney’s tyrannical former law firm boss, in a legal battle for the ages. The star-studded early screening audience was reportedly in stitches as theDave Green-directed comedy unfolded on-screen, further speaking to its quality.
Lord and Miller both gave the film an emphatic stamp of approval onTwitterX with high praise for both the comedy and the strong emotional impact. “I sawCoyote Vs. Acmeand it’s delightful,” Millerwrote in his post. “Funny, charming, good physical comedy timing, with a surprising amount of heart. I hope several studios go after it so the world can see all the good work people did.” Lordspecifically shouted out Green, adding “Coyote Vs. Acmeis wonderful. @dgreenmachine nails it. Hilarious smart existential and moving and makesthis all-time charactermore relevant than ever.” In a follow-up Tweet, he gave praise to the film’s talented writing team, saying, “Great writing bySamy Burchtoo (withJames GunnandJeremy Slateron the assist)!”
‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ Earns Plaudits From ‘The League’ Star and ‘Deadpool’ Producer
Aside from Lord and Miller, a ton of love came from comedianPaul Scheerwho previously starred inThe LeagueandBlack Monday. “Coyote vs. Acmemight be the best version of the Looney Tunes on the Big Screen ever,” he wrote on Threads. He also teased the fun viewers can expect when it finally reaches the public. “@dgreenmachine & samyburch nailed it. It’s got jokes, it’s got heart and it’s got Will Forte. you may’t miss (also the deep pulls w/ cartoon cameos are A+)“DeadpoolandSpider-VerseproducerAditya Soodadded to the chorus of praise withhis own statement on X. “Coyote Vs. Acmeachieves the most difficult of all feats:a Looney Tunes movie that Messrs. Avery, Jones and Maltese would be very very proud of. It’s a delight and hopefully it finds its audience very soon. Congrats @dgreenmachine and co.!!!”
There’s hope now that viewers will get to seeCotoye Vs. Acmeeither on the big screen or on a streaming service sometime soon, but the fact that this debacle happened at all isan indictment on Warner Bros. This is now the third time the studio has torched a film ahead of release, with the other two examples being last year’sBatgirlandScoob! Holiday Haunt. Although they’ve earned backlash each time, the initial death ofCoyote Vs. Acmesparked filmmakers to start canceling meetings with Warner Bros. and deliver sharper messages than ever painting the studio as “anti-art.” The situation was so disastrous that it caught the attention ofCongressmanJoaquin Castrowho called the move “predatory and anti-competitive” and urged the Justice Department and FTC to take action. “As someone remarked, it’s like burning down a building for the insurance money,” he added.
We’ll have more here at Collider asCoyote Vs. Acmesearches for a new home. In the meantime, check out our previous interview with Forte about his excitement when working alongside the Looney Tunes below.
