While the DCEU is on its way to taking its last breath, fans still remember the dream that was Batgirl. Never to be released, this completed film was canceled and remained unreleased for a tax write-off. When big names such as Michael Keaton, and JK Simmons, and a brand like Batman could not save the franchise, fans feared the precedent this move set rightly so, because WB has done it again, to a James Gunn attached project, no less.
Starring John Cena, with a story written by James Gunn, Coyote vs. Acme is scheduled to release never, now that Warner Brothers have decided not to release a completed film, again. Not only was this decision made out of the blue, but the crew was caught completely off guard when the move was announced. What has gotten fans riled up about this more than anything else, is the silence that has come in from Gunn, who was otherwise a vocal critic of such corporate issues.
Coyote vs. Acme had a lot of potential
For those who have been following the exploits of Wile E. Coyote, ACME is not a foreign name. The fictional company is responsible for the production of the explosives that Coyote uses to try and catch the Roadrunner. However, fans will also be familiar with the fact, that more often than not, the explosives end up backfiring, either leaving its target completely unharmed or harming Coyote instead. In light of the damages that have been suffered by Wile E Coyote, the film follows the titular character hiring a lawyer to sue the company for the damages that have been caused to him.
Such ideas, whose story was penned by a seasoned pro like James Gunn (and Samy Burch), would have been quite the comedic spectacle. However, it is utterly disheartening to see such potential go to waste, especially with a comedic juggernaut like John Cena attached to the film. Fans are also disappointed at the lack of outcry from the likes of Gunn, who is known for his stance on corporate shenanigans. The question on everyone’s mind is why Gunn is silent on such a move.
James Gunn is part of the machine now
James Gunn was recused by WB when Disney had cut ties with the director for some problematic comments. Later, he would go on to become co-chair for the company’s DC wing, after delivering smash-hits like The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. Gunn is now required to deliver his first chapter of the new and improved DC Universe, a part of the lineup for which has been announced by Gunn himself.
This only shows, that despite the anger and frustration that the director might be feeling right now, there is little Gunn can do to express it, given that he will be speaking out against those who stood with him when he was going through a tough time. While the guard that gave him a chance might have changed, speaking out against them would still be poking at the company that has presented him with immense opportunities. However, the utter lack of even public acknowledgment has left fans with a bad taste in their mouth.
A few years ago, James Gunn would have been on the front lines SCREAMING at WB for scrapping Coyote vs ACME.
But as DC Studios CEO he’s in a tough spot where speaking out against his executive colleagues and bosses would be self-destructive. Damn! #releasecoyotevsacme pic.twitter.com/zRuuDM6dCs
— Heroes Unbound ⚡️ (@HeroesUnbound) November 10, 2023
The Coyote vs Acme situation becomes even more maddening when you look at the names attached – John Cena, James Gunn. If a movie featuring a huge bankable star, produced by one of your top directors, and based on an iconic, timeless IP isn’t worth releasing, then what is?
— aimée 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@sapphyreblayze) November 10, 2023
Fans have taken to social media to start a movement to get the film released, citing works such as Netflix’s Nimona, which managed to escape cancellation after being 70% complete.
If Nimona can survive cancellation being 70% made, so can Coyote vs Acme with its great premise when it’s 100 % made.#ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme pic.twitter.com/tuOMM093PL
— Amadeusz (@Amadeusz1567) November 10, 2023
Visiting the Warner Bros vault to save the Wile E. Coyote movie pic.twitter.com/5Eyj5NXQe8
— Cody (@AltHistCody) November 10, 2023
I plan to draw one Looney Tunes character holding up a similar sign every couple of days until this film gets released.
Which means I’m going to be drawing a lot of Looney Tunes soon.#ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme pic.twitter.com/5FeIe8NMBk
— JWCartoonist (C0mms OPEN) (@JWCartoonist) November 11, 2023
While this might just be a bump on WB’s road to recovery, studios scrapping fully produced films might set a bad precedent for the industry, nonetheless. The writers’ and actors’ strikes coming right after the AI boom and the Covid-19 pandemic, have left Hollywood as a whole grasping at straws, leaving studios more desperate than ever. One can only hope that the industry is tending towards a comeback, rather than taking the wrong lesson from a struggling studio.
