Word on the Hollywood streets is that Coyote vs. Acme — the live-action and animation feature film shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery last week for a tax write-off — has another chance to hit screens. Reportedly, the studio has decided to allow the filmmakers to shop the Looney Tunes adventure to other outlets, following backlash from both people who had worked on the film and supporters in the industry.
Among those who had seen footage in advance (principle photography was complete when WBD axed the Max-bound movie) and voiced their disproval of the decision included Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You), who dubbed the cost-cutting megastudio “anti-art,” and Peter Atencio (Keanu and the Machine), who called the decision to set Coyote vs. Acme aside a “disgusting turn of events.”
The film is directed by Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Earth to Echo) from a screenplay by Samy Burch (May December), who worked out the story with Jeremy Slater and producer James Gunn. The cast is led by Peacemaker‘s John Cena as the law firm boss, Lana Condor and Will Forte as Wile E.’s lawyer, with Looney Tunes characters voiced by Eric Bauza (Wile E. Coyote), Tucker Hawkey (Roadrunner) and Jeff Bergman (Bugs Bunny).
WB previously allowed the dumped Batman: Caped Crusader, Merry Little Batman and Bat Family animated projects to be rehomed — all are now set for Prime Video. According to Deadline.com, screenings are being set up this week for Amazon Prime Video, Apple and Netflix to check out and possibly acquire the hybrid movie. Amazon’s head of film Courtenay Valenit was a big fan of the movie when she was Warner Bros.’ president of production and development.
Collider also posted a recent interview with Will Forte, who stars as Wile E.’s lawyer in the movie:
[Source: Puck via Collider, Deadline.com]
