Will Forte expressed intense frustration over Warner Bros.' decision to shelve the film 'Coyote vs. Acme' in 2023, but he now hopes the controversy will draw more attention to its upcoming release. The actor, who stars as Wile E. Coyote's lawyer, described his initial reaction as 'white hot anger' in a recent interview. The movie, saved by another distributor, is set to open in theaters on August 28.
Warner Bros. shelved 'Coyote vs. Acme' in November 2023 to claim a $30 million tax write-off, a move that drew widespread criticism in the film industry. This followed similar decisions for 'Batgirl' and 'Scoob! Holiday Haunt.' Originally scheduled for release on July 21, 2023, the $70 million live-action animation hybrid features Forte alongside John Cena and Lana Condor, with a screenplay by Samy Burch, known for 'May December.'
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Forte recounted his immediate response: 'Extreme frustration, fiery frustration, a lot of anger, white hot anger.' He noted that upon finally viewing the film, he felt immense pride, calling it a 'beautiful, special little movie' he would have shared with his children. Despite the setback, Forte suggested the ordeal might benefit the project: 'Everything happens for a reason, and it is certainly possible that the crazy journey that this movie is taking will help get more eyes on it, because it’s a story people know about a little bit. But I don’t think we needed this crazy journey.'
Four months after the shelving, in early 2024, Forte shared his thoughts on Instagram, acknowledging studio rights while expressing personal dismay: 'It doesn’t mean I have to like it (I fucking hate it). Or agree with it. And it doesn’t mean that this movie is anything less than magnificent.' In a prior MovieWeb discussion, he urged awareness of the situation: 'Thank you for asking me about it because I like talking about the movie because I don’t want people to forget what [Warner Bros.] did to this.' He emphasized the film's quality, hoping it would eventually reach audiences.
By March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights in a $50 million deal, paving the way for its theatrical debut.
