Warner Bros shelves John Cena-starring Coyote vs Acme film

Coyote vs Acme, a live-action/CG hybrid film that wrapped principal filming in New Mexico last year, is no longer scheduled for distribution by Warners. This action comes after Warner Animation Group was taken over by seasoned animation executive Bill Damaschke earlier this year.

The feature, which sources believe cost around $72 million to make, was shelved for a $30M tax write-off.

The “difficult” decision has been made not to release the live-action/animation hybrid movie Coyote vs Acme starring Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor, according to a statement.

“With the re-launch of Warner Bros Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases,” the statement reads. “With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with Coyote vs Acme. We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film.”

The writer-director Brian Duffield tweeted: “I have seen this movie and it is excellent. It also tested in the high 90s repeatedly. It also had interested buyers. The people working at Warner Bros are anti-art and I hope multiple anvils drop on their heads.”

The announcement follows WB's unexpected choice last year to not distribute Batgirl in theatres or on streaming services, even after the Leslie Grace-starring DC movie had wrapped production. The animated film Scoob! Holiday Haunt was likewise cancelled, and Warner Bros. claimed tax deductions for both.

Warners allegedly didn't think it would be profitable to try to release Coyote vs. Acme on its platform Max or sell it to another company. The announcement follows quarterly earnings that showed a $417 million net loss. 

The movie was set to focus on the classic Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote, and Cena was reportedly going to play one of the primary antagonists. It was based on a 1990 Ian Frazier New Yorker article of the same name.

The movie was written by Samy Burch, who has won praise for her screenplay for Todd Haynes' upcoming thriller May December, and directed by David Green, whose credits include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016).