The Looney Tunes universe is back on the big screen, with the film Coyote vs. Acme making its debut on August 27, 2026 in several countries, including Brazil, under the distribution of Paris Filmes. The arrival of this film production marks the end of a challenging trajectory behind the scenes of the industry in Hollywood.
Recorded in 2022, the feature film, which had an estimated cost of US$70 million (equivalent to R$363 million), was shelved in November 2023 by Warner Bros. Discovery, by decision of CEO David Zaslav.
The intention behind this executive’s choice was to avoid the release of the work, already completely completed, to obtain a tax deduction of around US$30 million (approximately R$156 million), which would block its exhibition in public or on streaming services. This attitude provoked outrage and demonstrations from filmmakers, artists and fans on social media, resulting in pressure for the studio to reconsider and negotiate production with other interested companies.
The situation was resolved in March 2025, when the independent distribution company Ketchup Entertainment purchased the global rights to the film for US$50 million (equivalent to R$260 million). The new owner was responsible for the release, sold a portion of the international rights for less than US$20 million (around R$103 million) and organized the publicity campaign for its arrival in theaters, scheduled for the end of August.
Discover the story and creators behind Coyote vs. Acme
The film is directed by Dave Green, with a script by Samy Burch, developed from an original idea by Jeremy Slater (known for Mortal Kombat 2) and James Gunn, the current head of DC Studios (who worked on Guardians of the Galaxy and Superman). The comedy, which mixes classic animation with performances by real actors, draws inspiration from a satirical text by Ian Frazier, originally published in The New Yorker magazine, in 1990.
In the plot, the iconic Wile E. Coyote decides to sue the company Acme, alleging constant flaws in the products he bought in an attempt to catch the Road Runner. To represent him in legal proceedings, the main character hires lawyer Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, who finds himself in confrontation with Buddy Crane, Acme’s experienced legal defender, played by John Cena. The cast also features Lana Condor, in addition to several appearances by famous animation characters.
Both specialized critics and the public have received the film very positively. On the Rotten Tomatoes portal, Coyote vs. Acme achieved 96% favorable reviews from critics, and audience approval is at 92%. On IMDb, the production received a rating of 7.7 out of 10.
Among the strong points highlighted in the evaluations, the insightful humor of the comic scenes, the balance in the dose of nostalgia and the successful integration between the animated elements and the live-action environments stand out. Will Forte’s performance and the emotional depth in the main characters’ relationship were also aspects praised by experts.
However, some critics pointed out reservations, such as the slowness in certain passages of the judicial process and a reduction in the characteristic unpredictability that marked the original classic cartoons.
Regarding the financial performance at the box office during the opening weekend, the industry predicts a national collection of around US$15 million (the equivalent of R$78 million) in the North American market alone. There is a strong expectation that the good public response will help to show that Warner made a mistake by giving up on the film.