First Look at ‘Coyote vs. ACME’ — Trailer Reveals Footage After Studio Cancelation Drama

The first trailer for Coyote vs. Acme has finally been released, giving fans a look at a film that almost never made it to theaters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project had a long and difficult path before reaching this point.

The movie was originally set to be scrapped by Warner Bros. in 2023 as part of a major financial decision. The studio planned to cancel the finished film for a tax write-down, which caused strong backlash online. After the reaction, the film was later picked up for release by Ketchup Entertainment.

Now, with its first trailer out, audiences can see what the film is about. The story follows Wile E. Coyote as he takes legal action against the Acme company. He hires a lawyer named Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, to go after the company for all the faulty products that have caused him years of accidents. On the other side is the company’s lawyer, played by John Cena.

The trailer also includes appearances from several classic Looney Tunes characters, adding to the familiar feel of the story while putting them in a new setting. The film mixes live-action with animation and focuses on the idea of the Coyote finally standing up for himself.

The trailer ACME doesn’t want you to see. Coyote vs. ACME. In theaters August 28. pic.twitter.com/8ADr6p9w1V

— Coyote vs. ACME (@CoyoteACMEMovie) April 22, 2026

The marketing even points to the film’s troubled history, using the line, “The Film Acme Didn’t Want You to See.” This directly references the earlier attempt to cancel the movie.

The decision to scrap the film was one of several major moves made under Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav. He explained in an interview with The New York Times that these choices were difficult but necessary for the company’s financial health.

“The question is, should we take certain of these movies and open them in the theater and spend another $30 or $40 million to promote them?” he said. “They were hard. But when I look at the health of our company today, we needed to make those decisions. And it took real courage.”

Actor Will Forte also shared his reaction after the film found a new home. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said, “I never thought [the film would land distribution], so it just came out of nowhere, and I’m so thrilled. I’m so excited for people to see this movie.”

The film is directed by Dave Green and is based on a story idea from a 1990 article published in The New Yorker. It brings a new angle to the long-running cartoon character by focusing on his legal fight instead of his usual chase scenes.

Coyote vs. Acme is set to be released in theaters on August 28.

This film already has a strong story behind it before it even hits cinemas. The fact that it was almost canceled but then saved makes people more curious to see it. It also shows how fan reaction can sometimes change what happens in Hollywood. What do you think about this movie finally getting released after all the drama? Share your thoughts in the comments.