Coyote vs. Acme
Coyote vs. Acme is an American live-action/animated legal comedy film directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch, based on a story by Burch, James Gunn and Jeremy Slater.[1] The film is based on the 1990 magazine article of the same name published in The New Yorker by Ian Frazier, which involves the character Wile E. Coyote and the Acme Corporation from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. The cast includes John Cena, Will Forte, Lana Condor, P.J. Byrne, and the voice of Eric Bauza.
Coyote vs. Acme
- James Gunn
- Jeremy Slater
- Samy Burch
"Coyote v. Acme"
by Ian Frazier[1][2]
- James Gunn
- Chris DeFaria
Carsten Kurpanek[3]
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Warner Bros. Pictures Animation
- Two Monkeys, A Goat and Another, Dead, Monkey[4]
United States
English
$70 million[5]
Development began in August 2018 with Chris McKay as producer and Jon and Josh Silberman writing the screenplay. Green was hired to direct in December 2019, and Burch, Slater, and Gunn joined the following year. Cena, Forte and Condor were cast in early 2022. Live-action filming took place in New Mexico from March to May 2022.
Warner Bros. Discovery shelved Coyote vs. Acme in November 2023 to obtain a $30 million tax write-down, making it the third film shelved by Warner Bros. after Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. Following a public backlash, Warner Bros. allowed the filmmakers to shop the film to other distributors. In February 2024, following unsuccessful negotiations with potential buyers, Warner Bros. Discovery again considered shelving the film and claiming a tax loss.[6]
Premise
After every product made by the Acme Corporation has backfired on Wile E. Coyote in his pursuit of the Road Runner, a down-and-out billboard human attorney represents Wile E. in his lawsuit to sue Acme. A growing friendship between Wile E. Coyote and his lawyer motivates their determination to win the court case, as it pits them against the intimidating boss of Wile E.'s lawyer's former law firm, who now represents Acme.[7][8]
Additionally, longtime Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza voices several other Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters throughout the film.[9] Director Dave Green confirmed that many Looney Tunes characters, outside of Wile E. Coyote himself, appeared "in significant supporting roles and in bit cameos", throughout the film.[10]
Production
Development and writing
In August 2018, Warner Bros. Pictures announced the development of a Wile E. Coyote project, titled Coyote vs. Acme, with The Lego Batman Movie director Chris McKay as producer and Jon and Josh Silberman writing the script.[11] In mid-December 2019, Warner Animation Group hired Dave Green to direct the live-action/animated hybrid film,[12] while Jon and Josh Silberman were replaced as screenwriters, but remained producers.[13] In December 2020, McKay left the project, while Jon and Josh Silberman left their producing roles and returned to screenwriting duties alongside Samy Burch, Jeremy Slater, and James Gunn.[4] Along with the departure of McKay, it was reported that the film draws inspiration from the fictional 1990 New Yorker article of the same name by Ian Frazier.[4] Ultimately, Burch received screenplay credit, based on a story from herself, Slater, and Gunn.[1]
Editor Carsten Kurpanek described the film's story as a "David vs Goliath story" that tackles Wile E. Coyote's persistence in the face of the ACME Corporation's "cynical and casual cruelness of capitalism and corporate greed".[14]
Casting
In February 2022, John Cena was cast as the film's main antagonist, described as the lawyer in defense of Acme and the former boss to Wile E.'s lawyer; he previously collaborated with Gunn on the DC Extended Universe projects The Suicide Squad (2021) and Peacemaker (2022).[15] The following month, Will Forte and Lana Condor were added to the cast, with Forte starring as Wile E.'s lawyer.[16]
Filming and production design
Principal photography took place from March to May 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Brandon Trost serving as cinematographer.[17][18][19] The creative team also acknowledged Who Framed Roger Rabbit as a reference for the film's seamless live-action interaction with the animated characters,[20] alongside the set pieces from the original Looney Tunes cartoons, such as the film's setting in Albuquerque, which was famously referenced by Bugs Bunny, and Road Runner's habitat in the desert being brought to life.[21]
Visual effects and animation
Visual effects and computer animation services were provided by DNEG, for Wile E. Coyote and other Looney Tunes characters who appeared in supporting roles.[22] Wanting to stay as true to the characters' 2D cartoon finish as possible, the 3D animators also worked closely with 2D sketchviz artists who guided them with 2D poses and expressions of the characters.[23] Additionally, traditional animation services were provided by Duncan Studio, for the Looney Tunes characters who appeared in cameo roles.[24][25]
Voice actor Eric Bauza posted the first image of the film on social media, showing the film took inspiration from the original cartoons' world and animation, and films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, for the film's blend of classic animation and live-action.[26]
Music
During the announcement of the film's initial cancellation, Steven Price announced that he composed the film's score. One piece from the score he shared was a choir rendition of the Road Runner's vocal effects titled the "Meep Meep Choir".[27]