Warner Bros. has recently entered into a lucrative first-look film agreement with Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap. This deal comes shortly after the studio decided to shelve the anticipated Looney Tunes film, "Coyote vs. Acme," which caused an uproar among fans. The new deal with Robbie, who produced Warner Bros.' highest-grossing film, "Barbie," seems contradictory to the controversy surrounding "Coyote vs. Acme." This leaves John Cena fans wondering if they will ever get the opportunity to watch the scrapped film.
According to The Wrap, "Coyote vs. Acme" was set to star John Cena as Wile E.
Coyote alongside the beloved Looney Tunes characters. The live-action/animated film received positive feedback from test audiences. However, Warner Bros. suddenly announced in November 2022 that they were canceling the movie's release due to a "shifting global strategy," leaving both the filmmakers and the public bewildered.
The public outcry prompted Warner Bros. to reconsider and allow the filmmakers to seek other studios interested in distributing the finished film. Unfortunately, the offers they received did not meet Warner Bros.
' requirements. Producer Chris DeFaria revealed that a Warner Bros. executive stated, "They just want to get this behind them. They want to close the books." With the studio's upcoming earnings call, industry insiders speculate that "Coyote vs. Acme" will simply be removed from Warner Bros.' records.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. proudly announced a new deal with Margot Robbie's LuckyChap production banner. Robbie's successful collaboration with the studio on "Barbie" led to this agreement. However, the contrast between this deal and the shelving of "Coyote vs. Acme" has further fueled the anger of the film's supporters.
Nevertheless, LuckyChap's reputation for supporting projects and filmmakers they believe in raises hope that they might intervene and save "Coyote vs. Acme" now that they are part of Warner Bros.' inner circle.
At present, the prospects for "Coyote vs. Acme" appear bleak, especially as Robbie solidifies her partnership with Warner Bros. Nonetheless, if fans continue to demand the revival of the film using the hashtag #SaveCoyoteVsAcme, the studio may have no choice but to listen. Ultimately, the fate of the beloved Looney Tunes and the repercussions of shelving "Coyote vs. Acme" extend beyond the satisfaction of John Cena fans.
The decision also highlights Warner Bros. Discovery's shift towards streaming content and blockbuster films, potentially jeopardizing future projects that don't align with this revised strategy. The cancellation of "Coyote vs. Acme" also raises concerns within the animation industry, as it diminishes opportunities for hand-drawn animated films and traditional techniques. Thus, the possible revival of "Coyote vs. Acme" represents not only a win for fans but also a victory for art and passion in the face of Hollywood's profit-driven decisions.