Coyote vs. Acme Rescued for Theatrical Release
In a surprising turn of events, the animated/live-action film Coyote vs. Acme is set for a theatrical release in 2026, thanks to a last-minute deal by Ketchup Entertainment. The film had previously been shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2023, along with two other projects: Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt.
Shelved Films Under Warner Bros. Discovery
The decision to keep Coyote vs. Acme and its counterparts from release stemmed from a shift in corporate strategy following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. in 2022. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav explained at the New York Times DealBook Summit that certain projects did not align with their vision for the company’s future, labeling them as unfit for investment in marketing and release.
Revival of Coyote vs. Acme
Despite its previous misfortunes, Ketchup Entertainment has expressed enthusiasm about bringing Coyote vs. Acme to audiences. Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup Entertainment, remarked, “We’re thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide.” He emphasized the film’s nostalgic appeal combined with modern storytelling, aimed at captivating both existing fans and new viewers alike.
Other Film Projects That Permantly Remain Shelved
While Coyote vs. Acme finds new life, several other films remain permanently shelved. Below we explore five notable projects that failed to reach audiences:
Batgirl
The superhero film Batgirl, which was in the post-production phase, featured Leslie Grace as the titular character, along with Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman. Director duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah aimed for an HBO Max release, yet executives feared it wouldn’t succeed in theaters, ultimately deciding against the film’s release.
Golden
Directed by Michel Gondry, Golden was a musical inspired by the early life of musician Pharrell Williams. Despite a talented cast including Halle Bailey and Janelle Monáe, both Gondry and Pharrell expressed discontent with the project during editing, deciding not to proceed with its release.
A Woman of the Sea
This 1926 silent film, produced by Charlie Chaplin, was intended to mark Edna Purviance’s return to acting. After initial screenings, Chaplin was dissatisfied with the final product and chose to destroy the negatives for tax reasons, leaving the film lost to history.
The Day the Clown Cried
Directed by and starring Jerry Lewis, The Day the Clown Cried was a controversial project focused on a clown in a Nazi concentration camp, which critics deemed inappropriate because of its subject matter. Lewis himself later shunned the film, stating his embarrassment over its production.
Gore
Starring Kevin Spacey, the biopic Gore was also shelved following misconduct allegations against Spacey. Despite being in post-production, Netflix opted not to release the film, marking it as a significant loss for the filmmakers involved.
Conclusion
The entertainment landscape continues to evolve with corporate decisions impacting the release of films. While Coyote vs. Acme finds its path to the audience intact, the fate of many other films remains uncertain, illustrating the precarious nature of the industry.
