Summary
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The first official trailer for the long-delayed live-action/animated comedy Coyote vs. Acme has finally been released to the public
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After being shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023 for a tax write-off, the completed $70 million film was acquired by Ketchup Entertainment in 2025 for a reported $50 million USD
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Starring Will Forte and John Cena, the courtroom comedy will hit theaters globally on August 28, 2026
Wile E. Coyote is finally having his day in court. After years of industry uncertainty and a highly publicized battle to save the film from being vaulted forever, Ketchup Entertainment has officially released the first trailer for Coyote vs. Acme. The sneak peek gives fans their first look at the highly anticipated live-action and animation hybrid, offering a hilarious, real-world glimpse into the Looney Tunes universe. Following its miraculous rescue from cancellation, the film is now slated to make its long-overdue global theatrical debut on August 28, 2026.
Directed by Dave Green with a screenplay by Samy Burch, Coyote vs. ACME is inspired by a classic 1990 The New Yorker article by Ian Frazier. The premise follows the iconic Wile E. Coyote as he reaches his breaking point with the constantly malfunctioning gadgets he uses to catch the Road Runner. To fight back, the animated coyote hires a down-on-his-luck billboard accident attorney named Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte. Together, they take on the monolithic Acme Corporation, represented by the slick corporate defense lawyer Buddy Crane, portrayed by John Cena.
The new trailer showcases a seamless blend of classic animated antics and contemporary courtroom comedy. Set against the backdrop of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the footage highlights several notable landmarks and nods to southwestern culture, including Cena sporting a turquoise bolo tie. Alongside Wile E. Coyote, viewers can also spot several other beloved Looney Tunes characters making appearances in the legal proceedings, including Tweety Bird, Sylvester, and Foghorn Leghorn.
The film’s journey to the big screen has been as chaotic as an Acme explosive. Originally greenlit with a $70 million USD budget for HBO Max under a previous Warner Bros. regime, the completed movie was famously shelved in November 2023 by WBD CEO David Zaslav in favor of a $30 million USD tax write-off. Following massive public backlash from filmmakers, actors, and animation fans alike, the studio reversed course, allowing the creators to shop it around. Ketchup Entertainment successfully acquired the distribution rights in early 2025 for a reported $50 million USD.
The release of the Coyote vs. ACME trailer marks a massive victory for art preservation and the dedicated fans who championed the #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme movement. With its clever premise and a star-studded cast eager to finally promote the picture, the resilient comedy is shaping up to be one of the most uniquely celebrated releases of the summer. Coyote vs. ACME will drop an anvil on theaters everywhere on August 28.
