Coyote vs. Acme, a hybrid live-action/animated adventure starring Will Forte, John Cena, and a slew of classic Looney Tunes characters, has finally seen the light of day after being infamously shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery for tax break purposes. The movie, directed by Dave Green, is a testament to the little guy and to never giving up, a messaging that has taken on a whole new significance with its release. At its core, Coyote vs. Acme is a charming, laugh-out-loud funny tribute to decades of animated history, even as it reflects a world of harsh realities.
The Story Unfolds
The movie does as the title promises, delivering an actual courtroom tale by way of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The human lead of the movie is Will Forte, but it’s very much the story of Wile E. Coyote, who has finally hit his limit with the malfunctioning Acme products that have prevented him from capturing and devouring his eternal nemesis, the Road Runner. So he finally decides to take legal action, hiring Saul Goodman-esque personal injury attorney Kevin Avery (Will Forte) to sue Acme for decades of his pain.
Wile E. Coyote finds Kevin Avery because of Kevin‘s TV commercials, unaware that Kevin has made a (not so lucrative) career out of settling all his cases for a measly few hundred bucks. Frustrated by his lawyer’s laziness and burnout, the coyote uses his innate wiles to blow up his case into one that attracts the attention of Acme bigwig lawyer Buddy Crane (John Cena) — as well as the nation.
A Tribute to the Past
The degree to which this movie pays tribute to the past can’t be understated. This includes surface-level touches like the name of Kevin‘s law firm being Avery, Jones & Maltese, nodding to three of the most iconic Looney Tunes creators. Most importantly, the movie remains faithful to maestro Chuck Jones‘s rules for a Coyote-Road Runner cartoon, including the setting (the American southwest) and how the characters speak (not at all, except through signs).
The human cast is all fun — John Cena really glories in the role of baddie, matching wits with the likes of Tweetie Bird, and Will Forte‘s ramshackle energy does leave his character likable while also clearly indicating he has room to grow. Some supporting cast members, like Lana Condor, Martha Kelly, and Tone Bell as employees at Kevin‘s law firm, could be utilized more. But the emphasis is on the animated cast more often than not. Which is of course exactly the right approach for a movie that has access to such a rich assortment of talent. The Looney Tunes have been stars for decades, and this movie, as much of a roller coaster as its path to the screen has been, offers up hope that they’ll be stars for decades more to come.
Coyote vs. Acme fires up its Acme jetpack and blasts into theaters on August 28th, 2026. The movie’s release is a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring appeal of the Looney Tunes characters. With its unique blend of live-action and animation, Coyote vs. Acme is a must-see for fans of the classic cartoons and newcomers alike. The movie’s heartfelt story, hilarious gags, and loving tribute to the past make it a standout in the world of entertainment. As the Road Runner would say, “Meep meep!” — Coyote vs. Acme is a wild ride that’s not to be missed.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
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