John Cena's Untold Secret from 'Coyote vs. Acme' Set Shocks Will Forte

The highly anticipated film Coyote vs. Acme has navigated a tumultuous path to its theatrical release, a journey marked by its initial shelving by Warner Bros. Discovery as a tax write-off and subsequent reclamation by Ketchup Entertainment. This saga, viewed by many as a discouraging trend in Hollywood, now lends a meta aspect to the film's core theme: the underdog's fight against an impossible adversary. Stars Will Forte, John Cena, and Lana Condor shared their perspectives on this uphill battle during an interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub.

The film, currently boasting a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, opens with a perpetually frustrated Wile E. Coyote, once again defeated by his nemesis, the Road Runner. Seeking a new strategy, he enlists attorney Kevin Avery, portrayed by Will Forte, to sue the notorious ACME Corporation, whose defective products are blamed for all his failures. The narrative explores the long and winding road to justice, mirroring the film's own struggle for release.

The cast openly discussed the emotional toll of the film's development and its unexpected shelving. Will Forte admitted to feeling 'gaslit' during the process, having believed in the project's quality throughout production and post-production, only to have the rug pulled out. He expressed immense relief and validation upon seeing the film and hearing positive critical reception, confirming his initial conviction that the movie was indeed 'freaking awesome.' Lana Condor echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the positive feedback 'validates our feelings.'

A significant aspect of Coyote vs. Acme is its ambitious animation and live-action hybrid format. The cast acknowledged the immense influence and high bar set by Who Framed Roger Rabbit. While John Cena focused on his specific performance duties, avoiding comparisons to maintain objectivity, Will Forte admitted that it was impossible not to consider the iconic film when tackling such a hybrid project, calling Roger Rabbit an 'insane movie' and a masterpiece that served as an aspirational benchmark.

Beyond the film's production challenges, the interview also revealed a heartwarming dynamic between the cast members. John Cena, a long-time admirer of Will Forte's work, particularly his role in MacGruber, described working opposite the SNL alum as a 'dream.' Cena shared anecdotes and praised Forte's comedic brilliance, while Forte reciprocated the admiration, expressing his appreciation for Cena's work in Peacemaker. Lana Condor, while not having seen MacGruber, quickly asserted her admiration for Forte as an actor.

Lana Condor underscored the profound and timely message of hope and optimism embedded within Coyote vs. Acme. She emphasized Wile E. Coyote's incredible fortitude in continually trying despite repeated failures, positioning the film as a much-needed source of inspiration in today's challenging culture. Condor highlighted that 'failure is only failure if you let it be,' and expressed her hope for the film to become a 'comfort movie' for audiences, noting its high rewatchability and hidden details.

The film's ingenious marketing campaign, particularly the trailer's tagline, 'The movie Acme doesn't want you to see,' was also a point of discussion. Will Forte found it 'really fun' and a clever way to acknowledge the film's turbulent history, suggesting that the very controversy might increase its visibility. John Cena praised the marketing's dual effectiveness: it cleverly references the film's real-life business drama for those in the know, while simultaneously making perfect sense within the film's narrative of Wile E. Coyote suing a corporation. Cena concluded that the film offers a 'good ride' for both Looney Tunes aficionados and first-time watchers, regardless of their background knowledge.

Coyote vs. Acme is described as a 'special' and 'alive' film, filled with unexpected emotional resonance and 'amazingness' thanks to director Dave Green. It is scheduled to open in theaters on August 28.