CEO of Warner Bros., David Zaslav sent shockwaves through Hollywood by announcing the cancellation of the partially animated Coyote vs Acme just weeks before its scheduled release. But after massive fan backlash, the studio backtracked and said it would allow the filmmakers to shop the $40 million movie around town. Months later though, Warner Bros. still seems intent on making the Looney Tunes film disappear for good.
Has David Zaslav Given Up on Trying to Save Coyote vs Acme?
According to The Wrap, despite multiple studios submitting offers to acquire John Cena’s masterclass, Coyote vs Acme, Warner Bros has apparently attached an outrageously high price tag of $75-80 million to the movie. According to insiders, Warner Bros executives including CEO David Zaslav have also refused to properly communicate details of any deals to the filmmakers or allow interested buyers to counteroffer.
Essentially, Warner Bros has made no real effort to help find Coyote vs Acme a new home, even as the movie’s release window continues shrinking. Sources close to the project believe the studio will simply let the movie die when Q4 earnings are reported on February 23rd.
What makes matters worse is that none of the WB execs responsible for the film’s limbo status – Zaslav, Michael De Luca, Pam Abdy, or animation head Bill Damaschke – have even watched the completed version, skipping test screenings that scored highly with audiences.
“They made a short-sighted choice based on dismal third quarter projects,” said one insider. “Reversing the decision to cancel ‘Coyote vs Acme’ was simply not possible.”
One aspect untouched is what Coyote vs Acme plot details leaked so far reveal. The film follows Wile E. Coyote hiring a billboard lawyer named Furie Finster to sue the Acme corporation over faulty products that always backfire on him in his pursuit of the Road Runner. Will Forte voices the Coyote while other Looney Tunes characters like Speedy Gonzales appear.
Early test screenings indicate the film captures the zany tone that made Looney Tunes an iconic franchise. Though whether audiences will ever see that vision fully realized remains in question.
Should Warner Bros Bury a Finished Movie to Save Face?
After the Batgirl movie was infamously deleted to take a tax write-off last year, it seems canceling finished films has become an “acceptable means” for Warner Bros to deal with projects it deems problematic.
But unlike Batgirl which was panned by test audiences, Coyote vs Acme was well-received and already had a release date. Audiences were excited for a return to form for the classic Looney Tunes characters after the disastrous Space Jam sequel.
Essentially, Warner Bros is intent on disappearing a completed movie that fans wanted to see solely to avoid admitting they mishandled the project. The lack of communication and transparency with filmmakers also flies in the face of WB’s recent efforts to tout a more talent-friendly public image. Here is the sort of public backlash Warner Bros is getting because of not giving the movie another chance:
Delete David first please
— DesiFlixNChill (@DesiFlixNChill) February 9, 2024
Someone get David Zaslav out of there
— Tyler Disney (@tylerdisney12) February 9, 2024
Warner Bros asking people to dump their time and passion into projects only to shelf them is nasty work.
— Philly Philly 🦅🅰️🐕 (@MonsieurPhilly) February 9, 2024
This man makes me angry https://t.co/uklOkoncp8
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) February 9, 2024
Crazy that they won’t allow another distributor to buy it
— Samantha J. Foster Composer (@sjfostersound) February 9, 2024
I’m so tired #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme pic.twitter.com/qdD17CBoTH
— Clems (@Clementenya) February 9, 2024
With the hashtag #SaveCoyoteVsAcme still trending and the movie’s climax fast approaching, public pressure may be the only way left to force Warner Bros to give the zany Looney Tunes project the fair shake it deserves. If not, it seems the anvil of corporate dysfunction will claim yet another victim.
