‘Coyote vs. Acme’ success raises questions over David Zaslav shelving film

Ketchup Entertainment paid $50m for distribution rights after Warner Bros. shelved film

David Zaslav’s decision to shelve Coyote vs. Acme is facing renewed scrutiny after the completed Looney Tunes film became a box office success following its rescue by independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment.

Three years after Warner Bros. Discovery treated the film as a tax write off, Coyote vs. Acme has reportedly surpassed $100m worldwide. The result has raised questions over whether Warner Bros. could have benefited from releasing the $70m production itself.

Ketchup Entertainment paid $50m for distribution rights and pre sold international territories to help offset that cost. The distributor’s strong theatrical performance therefore represents a significant success, although the financial outcome would have been different for Warner Bros., which would have faced production costs and theatrical marketing expenses.

The film, starring Will Forte and John Cena, opened in late August with $15.9m domestically. Its reported worldwide total includes $59.8m from North America and $42m internationally.

Analysts cited by Variety said the film benefited from positive reviews, strong word of mouth and the familiarity of the Looney Tunes brand. Shawn Robbins of Box Office Theory said its performance reflected both fan support and the quality of the finished movie.

The result also contrasts sharply with The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, another Looney Tunes production that Warner Bros. Discovery chose to release through another distributor. That 2024 film earned $15.4m worldwide.

Zaslav had previously defended shelving Coyote vs. Acme as part of a shift in Warner Bros.’ theatrical strategy. The decision followed the earlier cancellations of Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt, which were also removed from release plans for tax purposes.

Industry analysts have argued that the Coyote vs. Acme performance demonstrates the commercial value of established intellectual property, particularly family friendly brands. However, its success alone cannot establish what Warner Bros. would have earned from a studio backed theatrical release.

The film’s performance has nevertheless reopened debate over the financial and strategic reasoning behind its original shelving.