Coyote vs. Acme: Will Forte and Dave Green Discuss the Film's Extended Delay

      The story of Coyote vs. Acme seems to mirror its own narrative: it's a film about a corporation making astute business moves with little regard for sentiments. In 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery opted to shelve the movie to obtain a tax write-off, leaving director Dave Green, star Will Forte, and many others involved deeply disappointed. (Green mentions that three crew members were so passionate about the project that they got Wile E. Coyote tattoos.)

      The backlash to its shelving was swift and intense. Many of Green's fellow filmmakers and fans voiced their disapproval online, calling for the film’s release.

      Eventually, Warner Bros. agreed to allow the filmmakers to explore distribution options, leading to its acquisition by Ketchup Entertainment, which will release it on August 28th.

      Coyote vs. Acme is inspired by a 1990 New Yorker piece by Ian Frazier, framed as a legal complaint where an exasperated Wile E. Coyote narrates the many ways Acme products have failed him in his quest to catch the Road Runner.

      The film’s script, penned by Samy Burch (May December) based on a story by Burch, Jeremy Slater, and DC Studios’ co-head James Gunn, brings this lawsuit to life. Forte plays Albuquerque attorney Will Forte (imagine Saul Goodman with principles and no ambition) who, alongside new hire Paige (Lana Condor), takes on Acme attorney Buddy Crane (John Cena) and his pompous superior. Classic Looney Tunes characters make amusing appearances, reminiscent of the animated features in films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

      We spoke with Forte and Green about their delayed release, the importance of kindness, and their appreciation for Warner Bros. for eventually making the right choice.

      Dave Green and Will Forte on the Emotional Turbulence of Coyote vs. Acme

      Lana Condor, Wile E. Coyote, and Will Forte in Coyote vs. Acme. Ketchup Entertainment. – Credit: Ketchup Entertainment

      MovieMaker: The film opens with a joke at Warner Bros.' expense, which is also in the trailer. Was that joke part of the script before the tax write-off situation arose?

      Dave Green: Yes, for sure. We had Warner’s approval for that joke. They have a long history of playfully using their logo. … I’m sure a large team of lawyers reviewed it.

      Will Forte: We didn’t realize how closely it mirrored the notion of “art imitating life” at that moment.

      MovieMaker: How disheartened were you when they were lighthearted about the joke yet then engaged in such a corporate move by taking the tax write-off on your finished film?

      Will Forte: Disappointed is just one of many emotions—each one felt amplified. It was like all the negative feelings peaked. There wasn’t much good to balance it out.

      Once I saw it, I felt pride, but that added to my frustration. All the positive feelings intensified the negative ones. So, yes: really disheartened, disappointed, frustrated, angry—very angry for a time—then just confused, and I tried to move on.

      Dave Green: Will’s anger was a comfort to me. He and many of my friends, along with numerous supporters online, made it clear we weren’t alone in this ordeal.

      Will Forte: We were brainstorming how to still have the film shown. I suggested, “What if we released it on YouTube and donated the proceeds to charity? That could yield as much as, if not more than, what you get from a tax write-off.” I pushed that idea for a while, but someone told me it wasn't a feasible solution.

      Dave Green: There was a time when I would have been ecstatic to have the film available on an airline. … So, we’re truly happy and elated to be in a position where families can watch it on the big screen.

      Will Forte and Wile E. Coyote in Coyote vs. Acme. Ketchup Films – Credit: Ketchup Entertainment

      MovieMaker: How challenging is it to create a film that appeals to both children and adults?

      Dave Green: As a child, I hated being talked down to by adults. The movies I cherished—like Raiders, Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s Batman, and Ghostbusters—were family films that never condescended to their young audiences. That’s always been my goal: to avoid pandering.

      Looney Tunes, over the years, has excelled at this too. Many kids first encountered opera or learned of classic films like Casablanca through Bugs Bunny.

      Will Forte: When I first read the script, I loved it, but I had a concern—either it would appeal to no one because it was too adult for kids and too childish for adults, or it would resonate with everyone. Dave did an incredible job. During production, it felt like we were