The negative news surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery and CEO David Zaslav appears to have been too much for the studio, as it has reversed its decision to cancel Coyote vs Acme for tax considerations.
Four days ago, word emerged that WB planned to cancel and store the film in the WB vault, never to be seen again in order to secure a $30 million dollar tax break. The film was said to have cost WB $70 million to make.
The various Hollywood trades all reported that when news of the film's cancelation broke, various A-list talent told their reps to cancel upcoming meetings with the studio as a sign of opposition to such a fiscal-led strategy.
Some members of Congress are also calling for the studio to be investigated, equating the practice to burning down a building for insurance money.
Previously, Zaslav did something very similar with Batgirl and Scoob Holiday Haunt!, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the catalyst for the decision with the prevailing thought being that the unusual circumstances of the pandemic is what led to what would be a one-off practice.
With no pandemic to blame, Hollywood's creative elite united behind Coyote vs. Acme director Dave Green, screenwriters Samy Burch and James Gunn, and composer Steven Price.
Originally set for release on Max, Green will now have the opportunity to shop the film to other streamers and networks.
Now, WB is said to be holding a special screening for potential suitors, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Amazon, later this week and a theatrical release is not out of the realm of possibility.
According to reports, the plot of the film will see Wile E. Coyote from Looney Tunes sue Acme after using the company's products to try to capture Road Runner for years and failing.
The movie was a mix of animation and live-action, similar to Space Jam and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Along with the Coyote and Road Runner, the film was set to star Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor.
Forte was set to play Wile E.'s lawyer, while Cena would have played Acme's CEO.
WBD still has another Looney Tunes movie in the pipline, Looney Tunes Movie, The Day the Earth Blew Up. Marketed as the first fully animated Looney Tunes film to be released in theaters, WB revealed at this year's American Film Market event that it expects to release the film in Q2 2024.
Another factor working in Coyote vs Acme's favor was the fact that the film was 100% complete, unlike Batgirl and Scoob Holiday Haunt! Yet, the director of Holiday Haunt! has since completed the film, prompting many to now wonder if a similar reversal could be handed down for that film.