Coyote vs. Acme Director and Star Celebrate Comic-Con Debut After Shelving Drama
Director Dave Green and star Lana Condor discuss the film's first public screening, a moment that seemed impossible after Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the movie.
“I’ve waited so long to see their reaction. I feel like the years, to me, have [all led] up to tonight.”
- Director
- Dave Green
- Starring
- Will Forte, Lana Condor, John Cena
- Release
- 2026
- Genre
- Comedy, Adventure, Family
- Where to Watch
- Theaters
Director Dave Green and star Lana Condor celebrated the first public screening of Coyote vs. Acme at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026. This moment marks the culmination of a years-long fight to release the film after it was infamously shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery.
What Happens at the Comic-Con Screening?
According to Variety, the film made its debut at Comic-Con on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The event was a long-awaited opportunity for the cast and crew to finally share the completed movie with fans.
Key details about the film's debut include:
- First Public Screening: Held at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Final Trailer Release: Ketchup Entertainment released the final trailer ahead of the screening
- Fan Celebration: The screening was presented as a victory lap for the fans who campaigned for the film's release
- Confirmed Home Release: Director Dave Green confirmed to IGN that a Blu-ray release will include special features, including "minutes and minutes of stuff that is not PG-Rated."
Lana Condor expressed her excitement and nerves about the event. "I’ve waited so long to see their reaction. I feel like the years, to me, have [all led] up to tonight," she told Variety. "I want so badly for them to love it, and I think they will. I’m so confident in that."
What Is Coyote vs. Acme About?
Coyote vs. Acme is a live-action and animation hybrid comedy. The film follows Wile E. Coyote, who, after his Acme products repeatedly fail during his pursuit of the Road Runner, hires a billboard lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation. The script was penned by Samy Burch from a story by Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater, and is based on a 1990 New Yorker article by Ian Frazier.
The human cast is led by Will Forte as lawyer Kevin Avery and Lana Condor as Paige Avery. John Cena plays the head lawyer for Acme, Buddy Crane. The ensemble also includes Tone Bell, P.J. Byrne, Martha Kelly, and Luis Guzmán as Judge Troppogrosso. Beloved Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Tweety Pie appear, voiced by Eric Bauza.
How Did the Film Get to Comic-Con?
The path to Comic-Con was anything but smooth. In November 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed film as part of a tax write-off strategy, a move that sparked significant backlash in Hollywood. Director Dave Green called the news "devastating" at the time.
The film became a cause célèbre, saved by a fan campaign that included a now-iconic image of a lone protester dressed as Wile E. Coyote holding a "Release Me" sign in the rain outside Warner Bros. studios. "We did a call to action, ‘Where are you? Reveal yourselves, we would love to invite you!'" Condor said, though the anonymous protester never came forward.
In March 2025, independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights to the film, rescuing it from oblivion. The studio then began building hype with a first look at the 2025 Comic-Con and an industry trailer at CinemaCon earlier in 2026.
What's Next for Coyote vs. Acme?
The film's next confirmed milestone is its wide theatrical release. Coyote vs. Acme is scheduled to hit theaters on August 28, 2026. Tickets for the theatrical run went on sale the same week as the Comic-Con screening. Following its theatrical window, director Dave Green has promised a Blu-ray physical media release that will include the aforementioned R-rated outtakes featuring improvisations from stars like John Cena and Will Forte.
The $72 Million Budget and PG Rating
The film was produced with a substantial budget of $72 million, according to verified title facts. It carries a PG rating and has a runtime of 103 minutes. According to OMDb, the film has so far garnered one award win. Its premise, as verified by TMDB, centers on Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation after its products repeatedly fail him in his pursuit of the Roadrunner. The film blends live action and animation, a hybrid approach fitting its comedy, adventure, and family genre tags. Key thematic elements from its official listing include a courtroom, a lawsuit, and an unlikely friendship.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who rescued Coyote vs. Acme after Warner Bros. shelved it?
The independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights to the film in March 2025, saving it from being written off. The deal was reported to be in the range of $50 million.
What is the budget for Coyote vs. Acme?
According to verified production data, the film was made on a budget of $72 million.
Is Coyote vs. Acme connected to other recent shelved Warner Bros. films?
Yes. It was part of a wave of films shelved for tax write-offs under Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, a strategy that also affected the completed movie Batgirl and the animated Scoob! Holiday Haunt.
Who wrote the script for Coyote vs. Acme?
The screenplay was written by Samy Burch, known for May December, from a story she developed with James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight). The premise is based on a 1990 article from The New Yorker by Ian Frazier.
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