First Clip from ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Released as Wile E. Coyote Heads to Court
Few Hollywood tales in recent years have stirred as much behind-the-scenes drama as this one. What began as a live-action-animated hybrid comedy almost became a permanent casualty of studio bookkeeping, only to be revived after a wave of public outcry refused to let it fade away.
The journey of this film to theaters has been notably turbulent for a family comedy centered around one of animation’s most cherished characters. After Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed movie in November 2023 for a tax write-off, the backlash was substantial enough for the studio to reverse its decision, ultimately allowing Ketchup Entertainment to acquire distribution rights and bring the project to audiences.
Fandango has unveiled the first official clip from ‘Coyote vs. Acme’, providing viewers with their first glimpse of footage from the long-awaited comedy ahead of its theatrical release on August 28. The clip features Wile E. Coyote showcasing his business card, which reads, “Wile E. Coyote, GENIUS, Have Brain, Will Travel,” setting the stage for the film’s central premise: the eternally unlucky cartoon character finally deciding to take action against his tormentors through the legal system.
The film follows Wile E. Coyote as he partners with down-on-his-luck billboard accident lawyer Kevin Avery, portrayed by Will Forte, to sue the ACME Corporation for the numerous faulty products that have repeatedly failed him during his decades-long pursuit of the Road Runner. Their adversary is slick corporate attorney Buddy Crane, played by John Cena, who represents the profit-driven conglomerate behind every one of the Coyote’s chaotic escapades. The film combines animated Looney Tunes characters with a live-action human cast that also features Lana Condor, Tone Bell, P.J. Byrne, Martha Kelly, and Luis Guzmán.
In addition to Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, the trailer has hinted at appearances from a broader array of classic Looney Tunes characters, including Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny, and Tweety, along with Foghorn Leghorn reimagined as an operatic Southern lawyer representing ACME in the courtroom. Directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch, based on a story she co-created with James Gunn and Jeremy Slater, the film’s premise is inspired by Ian Frazier’s satirical New Yorker piece “Coyote v. Acme,” which envisioned the character’s grievances as an actual legal complaint.
The project’s path to release dates back to 2018, with live-action filming taking place in New Mexico in 2022, years before the film would eventually reach audiences. Its brief shelving under Warner Bros. Discovery became one of the earliest high-profile controversies during David Zaslav’s leadership at the studio, drawing comparisons to the similarly axed ‘Batgirl’ and sparking broader discussions about streaming-era studio accounting practices affecting completed films.
Following Ketchup Entertainment’s acquisition in March 2025, the film has gradually regained momentum through festival appearances and marketing initiatives, including a first look at San Diego Comic-Con last year and an industry screening at CinemaCon earlier this year. With its full trailer released just weeks ago and this new clip offering fans their first extended glimpse at the film’s tone and humor, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ seems to be gearing up for its long-awaited theatrical debut after years of uncertainty.
With its August 28 release date confirmed and the film running a concise one hour and 41 minutes, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is set to finally provide audiences with the conclusion its lengthy saga has been building toward.
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