Actor Will Forte has expressed a mix of "extreme frustration, fiery frustration, a lot of anger, white hot anger" over Warner Bros.' initial decision to shelve the film "Coyote vs. Acme." Despite his intense disappointment, Forte also conveyed pride in the movie and a hopeful sentiment that its tumultuous journey might ultimately draw "more eyes" to the project upon its eventual release. He acknowledged the possibility that "everything happens for a reason," but firmly stated that the film "didn't need this crazy journey."

The controversy surrounding "Coyote vs. Acme" began in November 2023 when Warner Bros. controversially opted to cancel its release. This move was made to facilitate a reported $30 million tax write-off, a decision that drew widespread condemnation from across the film industry. This wasn't an isolated incident for the studio, which had previously faced similar backlash for shelving other completed projects like "Batgirl" and "Scoob! Holiday Haunt." "Coyote vs. Acme," a $70 million live-action and animation hybrid, was originally scheduled for a theatrical release on July 21, 2023. The film features John Cena and Lana Condor alongside Forte, who stars as Wile E. Coyote’s lawyer. The screenplay was penned by Samy Burch, known for "May December."

Forte revealed his personal journey with the film's fate, recalling that he hadn't seen "Coyote vs. Acme" when the shelving news first broke. He had heard positive reports about its test scores, which initially led him to question the film's quality after the cancellation. However, upon finally viewing the movie, Forte's perspective shifted dramatically. He described his reaction: "I love it. I was so proud of it. It was so maddening because it was this beautiful, special little movie that was something I would’ve been able to share with my kids."

His advocacy for the film didn't stop there. Four months after the initial shelving, Forte took to Instagram to share a note with the cast and crew. In it, he candidly admitted, "Look, when it comes to Hollywood business stuff, I don’t know shit about shit. Even when a movie tests very well (like ours), there’s no guarantee that it’s gonna be a hit." While acknowledging the right of those who funded the movie to make their decisions, he unequivocally stated, "It doesn’t mean I have to like it (I fucking hate it). Or agree with it. And it doesn’t mean that this movie is anything less than magnificent." During a separate interview with MovieWeb, Forte passionately urged his followers to remember Warner Bros.' actions, labeling the situation "fucking bullshit" and asserting that the "delightful movie" deserved "so much better." He added, "It makes my blood boil," and thanked the interviewer for bringing it up, emphasizing, "I don’t want people to forget what [Warner Bros.] did to this."

Fortunately, the story of "Coyote vs. Acme" took a positive turn. News broke in March 2025 that the film had been rescued by Ketchup Entertainment. The studio reportedly acquired the movie for a deal worth $50 million, securing its future. As a result, "Coyote vs. Acme" is now officially slated to open in theaters on August 28.