Ketchup Entertainment Released Coyote vs. ACME
The hybrid animated film has earned $100 million at the global box office following its acquisition.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Animation
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Ketchup Entertainment has released the film Coyote vs. ACME after purchasing the rights from Warner Bros. for $50 million. The hybrid live-action and animated feature has already grossed $100 million globally.
Why it matters
Warner Bros. initially intended to shelve the project as a tax write-off, believing it would not recoup its $70 million production cost. The film's subsequent commercial performance highlights the value of completed assets that studios previously deemed financially unviable.
The 100-minute film cost $70 million to produce and was acquired for $50 million by Ketchup Entertainment. It has since generated $100 million in global box office revenue.
The players
Ketchup Entertainment
This is an independent film distribution company that acquired the rights to the project from Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
This is a major film studio and subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery that originally produced the project.
Will Forte
He is an actor and comedian who stars in the lead live-action role for the film.
John Cena
He is a professional wrestler and actor who features in the film's cast.
The details
The film combines live-action performances from Will Forte and John Cena with animated characters. It also incorporates archival clips from Looney Tunes cartoons that date back to the 1930s.
Timeline
Original Looney Tunes cartoons began production in the 1930s.
Coyote vs. ACME completed its production in 2023.
The film was released on September 27, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The film's release marks a notable shift from the studio practice of utilizing finished projects as tax write-offs. This strategy mirrors the ongoing industry trend where independent distributors capitalize on assets that larger studios deem surplus to their core franchise goals.
Viewers can now watch the 100-minute feature in theaters, representing a change from the film's initial status as a canceled project. This allows fans of Will Forte and John Cena to access content that was nearly removed from the public release schedule.
The takeaway
This outcome illustrates that finished film projects retain commercial potential even after a studio decides to abandon them. Audiences benefit when shelved works find new life through independent acquisition rather than being discarded for tax incentives.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the Animation industry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Region Canberra.
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Should studios be permitted to discard completed films specifically for tax write-offs?
