Coyote vs ACME 2026: Cast, Plot, Release Date and the Shelving Saga

Coyote vs. ACME is one of the most unusual stories in recent Hollywood history. A fully completed, well-tested, live-action/animation hybrid was shelved by its own studio for a tax write-off, only to be rescued years later by fan outrage. Now set for a worldwide theatrical release, the film follows Wile E. Coyote as he takes the ACME Corporation to court for decades of faulty products.

Here is everything you need to know about the cast, plot, release date, and the tangled road this movie took to reach the screen.

Coyote vs ACME at a Glance

What Is Coyote vs ACME About

Wile E. Coyote, the perpetually unlucky predator from Looney Tunes, has spent decades chasing the Road Runner using products from the ACME Corporation. Every rocket, magnet, and bungee cord has failed spectacularly. After one product failure too many, Coyote decides to fight back, but not with explosives. He hires a down-and-out billboard attorney named Kevin Avery to take ACME to court.

The legal battle pits Kevin and Coyote against ACME's intimidating corporate lawyer Buddy Crane, who happens to be Kevin's former boss. As the case unfolds, the film blends live-action performances with animated Looney Tunes characters, aiming for a tone that screenwriter Samy Burch described to Empire magazine as a "straightforward legal thriller" that happens to feature a cartoon coyote suing a corporation.

The Full Cast and Characters

Will Forte stars as Kevin Avery, a small-time billboard attorney who becomes Wile E. Coyote's lawyer. Forte is best known for Nebraska and MacGruber.

Lana Condor plays Paige Avery, Kevin's niece. Condor rose to fame with the To All the Boys I've Loved Before franchise.

John Cena appears as Buddy Crane, ACME's sharp-witted lawyer and Kevin's former boss. Cena previously worked with James Gunn on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker.

Tone Bell plays an ally of Wile E. Coyote and Kevin.

P.J. Byrne portrays Bill Pellicano, an ACME Corporation lawyer.

Martha Kelly plays another ally of Coyote and Kevin.

Luis Guzman appears as the judge presiding over the trial.

Eric Bauza provides voices for multiple Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, and Tweety Bird. Bauza is a veteran voice actor whose credits include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

The film also features additional Looney Tunes cameos, with Roadrunner and other classic characters appearing alongside the live-action cast.

The Shelving Saga

How the Movie Was Made

Development on Coyote vs. ACME began in 2018, when James Gunn pitched the idea of adapting Ian Frazier's 1990 New Yorker humor article into a film. The screenplay went through multiple drafts, with Jeremy Slater contributing an early version before Samy Burch wrote the final script. Director Dave Green, known for Earth to Echo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, was brought on to helm the project.

Production wrapped on a completed film with a budget of $70 to $72 million, according to Deadline. Test screenings were strong, reportedly scoring in the high 90s, which was 14 points above the family film average.

The Tax Write-Off Decision

In November 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would not release the film. According to Deadline, the studio took an estimated $30 million tax write-down on the production. Warner Bros. stated that the decision was tied to the restructuring of its animation division.

Composer Steven Price, who won an Academy Award for Gravity, shared his frustration publicly. "Had a lot of fun scoring Coyote vs Acme," he wrote on X, as reported by Deadline. "Animation totally complete and looked great. Whole film mixed and finished."

Director Dave Green told Empire magazine that a "funeral screening" was held for the cast and crew before the film was shelved. "It was so ironic, I almost couldn't believe it," Green said, as quoted by SYFY Wire. "Coyote vs ACME is a movie about what it means to be an underdog in a corporate world. And here we are."

Fan Backlash and Rescue

The shelving decision sparked immediate and widespread backlash. Industry figures, journalists, and audiences rallied behind the film, arguing that a completed, well-tested movie should not be erased for accounting purposes. Netflix, Paramount, and Amazon all expressed interest, according to Deadline.

In March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights for a reported $50 million, as reported by Variety. The release date of August 28, 2026 was announced by Will Forte at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025, per IGN.

Behind the Scenes

Director and Writers

Dave Green directs the film. His previous work includes Earth to Echo (2014) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016).

The screenplay is by Samy Burch, who previously wrote the critically acclaimed May December starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. The story was developed by Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater. Gunn, who now co-runs DC Studios, also produced the film alongside Chris DeFaria.

The film is based on Ian Frazier's 1990 New Yorker humor article "Coyote v. Acme," which imagined Wile E. Coyote's legal case against the ACME Corporation in satirical detail.

Score and Music

The original score is composed by Steven Price, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Gravity (2013). Price's previous credits include Fury, Suicide Squad, Baby Driver, and Last Night in Soho. The film features a distinctive musical moment where a choir performs using Roadrunner's "Meep Meep" sounds, as Price shared in behind-the-scenes footage during the original shelving controversy.

Production Companies

The film was produced by Warner Animation Group, Troll Court Entertainment (James Gunn's production company), and Keylight Pictures. It is distributed by Ketchup Entertainment.

Trailers and Marketing

The first full trailer dropped on April 23, 2026, days after a cheeky teaser released on Tax Day (April 15) that directly referenced Warner Bros.' decision to shelve the film. In the teaser, Wile E. Coyote holds up a sign reading "Happy Tax Day," then flips it to reveal "Check Your Write-Offs" before crashing to the ground.

The full trailer earned over 25 million views in its first 24 hours, which Deadline reported as the most-watched family film trailer launch by an independent studio. The trailer leans into both classic Looney Tunes physical comedy and the real-world drama surrounding the film's near-cancellation, using the tagline "The Film Acme Didn't Want You to See."

A San Diego Comic-Con presentation in Hall H featured Will Forte, Dave Green, Eric Bauza, and Martha Kelly, along with a scene from the film showing Coyote's first day in court. The scene includes playful details like a knitting mother hen on the jury and Playboy Penguin working as a courtroom sketch artist.

Release Date and Where to Watch

Coyote vs. ACME opens in the United States on August 28, 2026 through Ketchup Entertainment. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film releases one week earlier on August 21, 2026 through Altitude, according to Wikipedia.

The film is rated PG for cartoon violence and some language.

India Release

An Indian theatrical date has not been formally announced by Ketchup Entertainment. Times of India lists an August 28, 2026 date, which matches the US release, but this has not been independently confirmed by a distributor or cinema chain in India. Indian audiences should watch for announcements from PVR Inox, BookMyShow, or official distributor channels closer to the release.

Streaming Date

No streaming date has been announced. Since Ketchup Entertainment is a smaller distributor without its own streaming platform, the film will likely move to digital rental and purchase after its theatrical window. A streaming partner for the post-theatrical window has not been confirmed.

Box Office Tracking

As of early July 2026, The Quorum, a box office tracking firm, reported that the film holds 26 percent awareness but 43 percent interest among surveyed audiences, according to Cosmic Book News. The 17-point gap between interest and awareness is the widest of any film on their tracking chart, suggesting strong potential for word-of-mouth growth.

The film occupies the final weekend of August, traditionally a quiet period for major releases. If the tracking numbers hold, Coyote vs. ACME could become one of the surprise success stories of the summer.

Should You Watch It?

Based on what is known so far, Coyote vs. ACME has several factors working in its favor. The cast is experienced, the writers have strong track records, and the behind-the-scenes story has generated significant public goodwill. The blend of live-action and animation with a legal comedy framework is an unusual premise that could stand out in a crowded summer.

However, the film depends on Ketchup Entertainment's ability to market a family title on a limited budget, and no early screening reactions or reviews are available yet.

Information last checked on 2026-07-18.