James Gunn has revealed details about the upcoming movie, Superman: Legacy, which is set to be released as originally planned on July 11, 2025. His tweet was received with excitement from DC fans, but some blasted the director for not addressing another issue. While Gunn mentioned the relentless hard work of Superman’s talented crew, he failed to address the recent controversial decision by Warner Bros. Discovery to shelve Coyote vs. Acme, a movie he co-wrote and produced.
WBD had previously shelved the completed films, Batgirl and Scoob Holiday Haunt!, for a tax write-off. Coyote vs. Acme became the latest casualty of the short-sighted, gain-oriented moves from the David Zaslav-run conglomerate.
Fans Blast James Gunn For Failing To Address The Shelving Of His Film
Coyote vs. Acme is directed by Dave Green and the story was developed by Sam Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater. It drew inspiration from the New Yorker Magazine humor article of the same name by Ian Frazier, featuring the Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote. The film had a stellar cast, including John Cena, Will Forte, and Lana Condor.
WBD took a $30 million tax write-off for the $70 million production, claiming the film wasn’t worth the cost of releasing or selling to another buyer. Interestingly, outside buyers, including Amazon, expressed interest in buying the film, but the Warners informed them that the movie was not for sale.
WBD even betrayed their DC CEO, James Gunn, as he and other crew members were only informed about the shelving after the write-off. However, Gunn seems oblivious to the betrayal, as he promoted his big DCU-launching film, Superman: Legacy, without addressing Coyote vs. Acme.
Thanks to the efforts of our talented crew, who never lost faith during the longest strikes in Hollywood history, and who never let their foot off the pedal, continuing to barrel forward, creating the most amazing character and set designs I’ve seen in my entire career,… pic.twitter.com/ntnEbA2fC0
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) November 11, 2023
Fans were displeased with Gunn’s attitude and criticized him on X under his tweet for disrespecting his shelved movie. Fans raised concerns that WBD can’t be trusted with the Superman movie either, as it may also end up as a tax write-off. Fans also called for the release of the Coyote Cut and the firing of David Zaslav. Some fan reactions read:
Could’ve at least acknowledged what WB have done to Coyote vs ACME, the film you co-wrote and produced!! Feels oddly disrespectful https://t.co/UVCWo4gwMt
— Jacob (@JacobFisherDF) November 11, 2023
I’m excited!! But can we be ensured that David Zaslav won’t dump your work in the bin for tax credits?! 😬 Does the unjust dumping of the well received Coyote Vs Acme worry you for the future of filmmaking at Warner Bros & Can we right this wrong? #ReleaseTheCoyoteCut pic.twitter.com/yfI8JZrWW1
— Andy Signore (@andysignore) November 11, 2023
I hope that Zaslav won’t cancel it like with the batgirl and the coyote vs acme movies. #FireDavidZaslav
— star wars prequels and sequels lover 🏳️⚧️ (@StarPreSeqfl) November 11, 2023
From what I see Legacy could be the first tax write off that people would cheer for.
— DoDo (@dodooell) November 11, 2023
I’m sure it’ll make a lovely tax write-off ❤️
— 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗖Ʊ𝗥𝗬 🇵🇸 (@theeSNYDERVERSE) November 11, 2023
Now release the Coyote Cut!
— Happy Captain (@EODHappyCaptain) November 11, 2023
Notably, James Gunn’s DC takeover also had its critics, as The Suicide Squad director recast Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, the Superman and Batman from the Snyderverse. Gunn also reportedly ran a controlling regime at DC Studios, axing several projects with potential, one example being the Kingdom Come animated film.
Coyote vs. Acme Was A Promising Project From James Gunn
Before Coyote vs. Acme, Warner Bros. abandoned two other finished projects, Batgirl and Scoob Holiday Haunt! The shelving of Batgirl, destined for a Max release, received support from the DC CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Safran deeming it “unreleasable”. The Scoob! prequel was almost complete when WBD announced its cancelation. Nevertheless, the filmmakers completed the film after the announcement.
Coyote vs. Acme was nothing like the other two films, as it had garnered good scores from a test audience, scoring 14 points above the family norm. Also, the previous WB-Looney Tunes release, Space Jam: A New Legacy, grossed $163.6 million despite a simultaneous theatrical and Max release during COVID-19.
The concerns surrounding the studio decisions under Zaslav are valid, and fans are not wrong in urging the Guardians of the Galaxy director to voice their concerns.
