In 2020, director Dave Green began filming Coyote vs Acme, a hybrid live-action and animation project featuring iconic Looney Tunes characters. The production faced a sudden end in 2023 when Warner Brothers opted to shelve the film as a tax write-off. Lead actor Will Forte and the production team were left stunned, viewing the cancellation as an abrupt and inexplicable move for a project that tested well with audiences.
Following the cancellation, Forte and other crew members publicly voiced their frustration. The situation triggered a massive wave of online support from fans and industry professionals. Composer Steven Price drew significant attention by sharing his orchestral score online, while fans demanded the film be released. This public outcry signaled to studio executives that the project held untapped value despite earlier internal decisions.
Ketchup Entertainment eventually intervened, purchasing the film from Warner Brothers for roughly $50 million. The acquisition provides a path for the movie to finally reach theaters. Green notes that the film mirrors the story of an underdog, reflecting the journey the project took to survive its own cancellation. After years of uncertainty, the film is now set for a global release, proving that public advocacy can shift the trajectory of major studio assets.