After years of uncertainty, fan campaigns, and a near-death experience at the hands of a corporate tax write-off, Coyote vs. Acme is finally charging into theaters. The final trailer has dropped, and it's a wild ride that blends Looney Tunes chaos with courtroom drama—think Lincoln Lawyer meets an anvil to the face.
The live-action/animated hybrid follows Wile E. Coyote as he trades his pursuit of the Road Runner for a lawsuit against ACME Corporation, the company behind all those malfunctioning rocket skates and faulty dynamite. He hires a down-on-his-luck human attorney, Kevin Avery (Will Forte), to take on the corporate giant. But standing in their way is Buddy Crane, ACME's slick and ruthless lawyer played by John Cena. The trailer teases plenty of physical comedy, explosive set pieces, and Cena bringing his signature blend of charm and menace to the role.
Directed by Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows), the film is based on Ian Frazier's 1990 New Yorker article. The screenplay comes from Samy Burch, with story contributions from James Gunn, Jeremy Slater, and Burch. The cast also includes Lana Condor as Kevin's daughter Paige, P.J. Byrne as another ACME lawyer, Tone Bell as an ally, Martha Kelly, Luis Guzmán as the judge, and Eric Bauza voicing multiple Looney Tunes characters.
The movie's journey to the big screen has been anything but smooth. Originally completed by Warner Bros. Discovery, it was shelved for a tax write-off—a decision that sparked outrage from filmmakers and fans alike. After a massive campaign to save it, independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide rights, giving the film a second chance. Now, it's set for a theatrical release on August 28.
For those who've followed the saga, the final trailer is a payoff worth waiting for. It showcases the film's unique blend of live-action and animation, with Wile E. Coyote's silent determination clashing against Cena's booming presence. The courtroom scenes are peppered with classic Looney Tunes slapstick, and the trailer hints at a surprisingly heartfelt story about underdogs fighting back against corporate greed.
John Cena, fresh off his role in The Suicide Squad, seems to be having a blast as the villainous lawyer. His character, Buddy Crane, is the former boss of Kevin Avery's law firm, adding a personal grudge to the legal battle. The trailer also gives a glimpse of the Road Runner, who appears in his usual cameo role, zipping past and leaving Wile E. in the dust—though this time, the coyote has bigger fish to fry.
With its release just around the corner, Coyote vs. Acme is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated movies of the summer. It's a testament to the power of fan support and a reminder that even the most unlikely projects can find their way to the screen. For now, we can enjoy the final trailer and count down the days until Wile E. Coyote finally gets his day in court.
