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‘Coyote vs. Acme’: Never, Ever Give Up, It’s Finally Here

‘Coyote vs. Acme’: Never, Ever Give Up, It’s Finally Here

Last updated on: September 6, 2026 at 5:44 pm by Kate O'Hare

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‘Coyote vs. Acme’: Never, Ever Give Up, It’s Finally Here 2026-09-06T17:44:49-08:00 Kate O'Hare

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Don’t give up. That’s the lesson of Coyote vs. Acme, currently in theaters.

One of the funniest, and perhaps one of the best, family films of the year almost never saw the light of day. But like Wile E. Coyote, whose pursuit of the speedy Roadrunner is relentless and neverending, Coyote vs. Acme, in defiance of all the showbiz odds, is finally on the big screen.

Where It All Began

The story began back in 1990, with a New Yorker article by Ian Frazier, called “Coyote vs. Acme,” essentially a parody of a lawsuit document.

It continues …

Opening Statement of Mr. Harold Schoff, attorney for Mr. Coyote: My client, Mr. Wile E. Coyote, a resident of Arizona and contiguous states, does hereby bring suit for damages against the Acme Company, manufacturer and retail distributor of assorted merchandise, incorporated in Delaware and doing business in every state, district, and territory. Mr. Coyote seeks compensation for personal injuries, loss of business income, and mental suffering caused as a direct result of the actions and/or gross negligence of said company, under Title 15 of the United States Code, Chapter 47, section 2072, subsection (a), relating to product liability.

And the article (you can read it all here) continues in that vein. The tone is formal, legal and dead serious (while also hilarious).

Then, from Complex.com:

The film rights to the article were sold to Scott Rudin Productions in 1998, but no film was ever developed. James Gunn successfully pitched a “Coyote vs. Acme” movie to Warner Bros. in 2015. While the movie you see now is said to not be what was originally pitched, the spirit of the Wile E. Coyote Gunn’s project pitched remained.

The film went into development in 2018, and a variety of people came in and out over the years. Using the cartoon/live-action template of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Warner Bros. finally put the film into production in 2022.

Where It All Went Wrong (and then Right)

When Coyote vs. Acme was finished, for a whole lot of corporate business and tax reasons (the Complex post covers it all), Warner Bros. shelved the film, leaving it in possibly permanent limbo.

But for star Will Forte and a legion of fans, this wasn’t the end.

From CBC News:

But as Forte did his best to move past the experience, Looney Tunes fans, animation enthusiasts and Hollywood professionals started taking their outrage online and, in one case, even went so far as to protest outside the Warner Bros. office in the rain, while dressed in a Wile E. Coyote costume.

“They were really letting Warner Bros. hear about it, and for a prolonged amount of time,” Forte says. “I didn’t think that it was going to make a difference. It really just seemed like it was too late. But they kept at it, and kept at. And then, eventually, I think Warner Bros. just was like, ‘OK, we don’t want to deal with this anymore.’”

Forced to reverse its decision, Warner Bros. sold Coyote vs. Acme to Ketchup Entertainment, which ultimately saved the film. The movie officially hits theatres today.

“That’s why we’re going to get to see this movie, is because Ketchup came in, but only because the fans made such a big stink,” Forte says. “Just like in the movie, all these underdogs somehow were able to rise up against this massive corporation, and now we get to see the movie.”

So, a little more than three years after the film’s original July 21, 2023, release date, Coyote vs. Acme is here.

And let me tell you, it was worth the wait.

Here’s the first teaser trailer:

What’s Coyote vs. Acme About?

Just what it says. Anyone who’s loved these Looney Tunes characters knows that Coyote has burned through no-doubt-millions of toon bucks worth of defective Acme merchandise in his unending quest for some roasted Roadrunner.

Now, after more explosive failures, the raggedy canine has had enough. He engages a scruffy but good-hearted attorney (Forte) to go to court against Acme Corp. and its high-powered but smarmy lawyer (John Cena) — and wild hijinks ensue.

Along the way, a variety of Looney Tunes characters appears, but I won’t spoil the fun for you there (but one of the videos below will, so be warned).

Dave Green directs from a screenplay by Samy Burch, from a story by James Gunn (who’s also a producer), Jeremy Slater and Burch.

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Why Is It Worth Your Time?

There are plenty of adults today who grew up primarily on Disney cartoons. I, however, and many like me from the pre-Disney-Channel era, were raised on Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes. Coyote, Roadrunner, Foghorn Leghorn, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety & Sylvester, the Tasmanian Devil, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig … right up to the Animaniacs.

The original shorts were produced to be seen in theaters, and equally aimed at both adults and kids. Looney Tunes has always operated on many levels, from slapstick funny to sharply satiric — and occasionally sentimental.

All that is in play in Coyote vs. Acme. I laughed a lot, and I even got sniffly at the end.

While there’s much in there for the adult brain to absorb, it’s a true PG film. If you think your kids are too young or sensitive to watch Coyote getting blown up, squashed, run over, etc., then leave them at home for this one.

But there’s also a sweet frenemy storyline in there, and a lot to say about perseverance, effort and true camaraderie in the face of overwhelming odds.

Also, if you remember, there was a conspiracy at the heart of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (involving Los Angeles’ long-lost Red Car trolleys), and there is also something devious behind what Acme’s up to in this movie. Heh heh.

Is There a Faith Element?

No — unless you count Coyote’s unshakeable faith in himself (even if it’s a bit misguided).

Of course, it’s ironic that corporate machinations nearly buried a movie that’s making fun of corporate machinations. You never know, there might be some divine retribution going on.

Image: Ketchup Entertainment

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Warner Bros. Animation

Wile E. Coyote

About Kate O'Hare

Journalism, screenwriting, Seahawks ... I prefer stories with soul. Covering the intersection of entertainment, faith and pop culture. Writing movies in my spare time -- when not watching Seahawks football, that is. From the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, left my heart in Saratoga Springs. Currently based in Los Angeles, where it's always another day in paradise. No, I don't pick my NFL team by geography. You can read more about the author here.

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