Controversial Cancellation of WB's Coyote Vs ACME Prompts Backlash

Article Overview

The completed film Coyote Vs. ACME being shelved by Warner Bros. has sparked intense backlash on the internet. Social media users and filmmakers alike have expressed their disgust, drawing comparisons to the actions of a fictional evil corporation.

Filmmakers are raising concerns about the financial rationale behind this choice, as the doubt it generates among talent may overshadow the potential financial benefits. Warner Bros.'s growing inclination to put completed projects on hold, regardless of positive test scores and interested buyers, has the potential to discourage future filmmakers and collaborators, intensifying the already difficult and disheartening process of getting a movie produced.

Warner Bros.'s decision to cancel its completed Coyote Vs. ACME movie has generated a significant backlash online. Directed by Dave Green and produced by James Gunn, the film would have featured the iconic Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote embroiled in a legal dispute with the fictional ACME corporation. Shockingly, Warner Bros. recently announced that they would be scrapping Coyote Vs. ACME in order to obtain a $30 million tax break. Upon hearing the news, social media influencers and industry professionals took to Twitter to express their outrage, likening the decision to something that would be expected from a "corrupt fictional company." See a selection of the responses below:

News outlet @LeCinephiles likened the measure to that of a dastardly fictional corporation, emphasizing that Warner Bros. is not fictional at all and is causing significant harm to the industry.

In a whimsical manner, @ViewerAnon directed a playful appeal to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO, David Zaslav, urging other creators to produce movies for his company, with the expectation that they will be hidden away solely for tax benefits.

Filmmaker Brian Duffield, who has personally viewed the movie, describes it as excellent and criticizes the people at Warner Bros. for being anti-art. Meanwhile, Twitter user @24framesofnick advocates for the complete elimination of Warner Bros.

Producer Franklin Leonard raised concerns about the decision, questioning its rationale and expressing doubts about the impact it would have on future collaborations with Warner Bros. artists.

@Animated_Antic voiced their frustration towards this practice and expressed their regret about being unable to witness the completion of the film.

User @Lons jokingly suggested that instead of making movies, Warner Bros. should consider selling frozen yogurt or something.

@OGScottieT expressed their frustration and bewilderment over the choice to abandon a movie due to its moderate budget.

Meanwhile, @patrickcotnoir called for Hollywood creatives to go back out on strike.

Will Coyote Vs. ACME’s Cancellation Pose Bigger Problems For Warner Bros.?

Following last year's merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, the studio's new management has been focused on implementing cost-cutting measures to optimize potential revenue. In a matter of months, newly appointed CEO Zaslav and his executive team turned their attention to a number of unreleased titles. This led to the controversial decision to halt the release of the almost finished film Batgirl and the animated Scooby-Doo movie Scoob! Holiday Haunt.

It seems that the recent decision to cancel completed movies, despite positive test scores and interested buyers, is not a one-time occurrence for the studio. Warner Bros. appears to be willing to continue canceling projects. Although shelving Green's Coyote Vs. ACME may have some financial justification for those in charge, the concern arises whether this trend might discourage other filmmakers and potential collaborators.

In response to Warner Bros.' controversial decision, director Dave Green expressed his profound devastation.

Attempting to get a movie made is often a challenging and emotional process for even the most experienced Hollywood professionals. Those working in the industry are used to seeing potential opportunities vanish before production starts. However, Warner Bros.'s growing tendency to put completed projects on hold is likely to create hesitation in the future. With Coyote Vs. ACME's Green now joining the ranks of rejected projects like Batgirl’s Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the consequences of Warner Bros.'s actions may have long-term effects that outweigh the benefits of any tax breaks they receive.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan, I am deeply disappointed and frustrated by the news that Warner Bros. has canceled the release of Coyote Vs. ACME. This decision is not only a blow to fans of the Looney Tunes franchise, but also to the entire film industry.

The cancellation of Coyote Vs. ACME raises serious concerns about Warner Bros.' commitment to artistic expression and its willingness to support filmmakers. The fact that the film was completed and had positive test scores suggests that it was a quality project that deserved to be released. However, Warner Bros. has chosen to shelve the film in order to save money, which is a clear indication that the studio is more interested in profits than in making good movies.

This decision is also a slap in the face to the filmmakers who worked on Coyote Vs. ACME. These artists poured their time, energy, and passion into the project, only to have it taken away from them at the last minute. This is a devastating blow to their careers and will make it difficult for them to find work in the future.

I urge Warner Bros. to reconsider its decision and release Coyote Vs. ACME. This film deserves to be seen by audiences and it would be a shame to let it languish in the studio's vaults.