Justice is finally on the docket for animation's most famously unlucky predator. The first trailer for Coyote vs. Acme has premiered, revealing the star-studded, live-action/animation hybrid that was once thought lost forever. The film, which pits Wile E. Coyote against the corporation behind his faulty gear, is now officially racing toward a theatrical release this summer.
The trailer sets up the high-stakes premise. After yet another catastrophic failure of an Acme product, the long-suffering Wile E. Coyote decides to sue. He enlists the help of lawyer Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, who has a history of taking on the corporate giant. Their opponent is the slick Acme executive Buddy Crane, portrayed by a perfectly cast John Cena. While Avery is initially content with a small settlement, his niece Paige (Lana Condor) pushes him to fight for real justice for the coyote.
This isn't just a solo mission for the classic character. The courtroom proceedings will bring a parade of iconic witnesses to the stand. The trailer teases appearances from Looney Tunes legends like Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Foghorn Leghorn. In a particularly intriguing cameo, Bugs Bunny appears in a shadowy, informant-style role, hinting that he might hold the key secrets to bringing down Acme Corporation for good.
How a Film Escaped Studio Purgatory
The journey to this trailer has been almost as dramatic as the plot. Coyote vs. Acme was one of several films shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023 as part of major cost-cutting measures. Unlike the permanently vaulted Batgirl, however, a massive outcry from filmmakers and test audiences convinced the studio to put the nearly finished film up for sale.
After a period where it seemed no buyer would meet the asking price, independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment swooped in. The company, which also rescued the Looney Tunes film The Day the Earth Blew Up, secured the rights, ensuring fans would get to see the cinematic case unfold. It's a victory for film preservation that echoes other long-awaited projects finally seeing the light of day, like Zack Snyder's recently wrapped passion project.
The film boasts an impressive creative team. It's directed by Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) from a script by Samy Burch (May December). The story was crafted by Burch, Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight), and DC Studios co-head James Gunn. The premise itself is based on a beloved 1990 comedy article from The New Yorker by Ian Frazier, which first imagined the coyote's legal recourse.
What to Expect in the Courtroom Comedy
The trailer promises a unique blend of live-action comedy and classic cartoon chaos. John Cena appears to be in his element as the smarmy corporate defender, while Will Forte channels the underdog energy of a lawyer in over his head. The central question remains: can the Coyote finally win, and if he does, what would that victory even look like? Could it finally lead to him catching the Road Runner?
This rescue mission for a completed film highlights a growing trend in Hollywood where fan and creator advocacy can alter a studio's course. It's a similar story of a project finding its audience against the odds, much like the cult classic status achieved by shows such as Marvel's Agent Carter, which fans still champion years after its cancellation.
Coyote vs. Acme is scheduled to hit theaters on August 28, 2026. The release will mark the end of a long and winding road for the film, transforming it from a corporate write-off into one of the summer's most anticipated and curious comedies. The case is now open for the public to decide the verdict.
