In a surprising move, Warner Bros. has decided to shelve the completed film ‘Coyote vs. Acme‘ despite interest from outside buyers. The film, which is a live-action/animated hybrid starring John Cena, was originally intended for a streaming release, but Warner Bros. has reportedly taken a $30 million tax write-off on the project.
Warner Bros. Shelves ‘Coyote vs. Acme’
According to reports, director Dave Green and the film’s producers were only informed of the decision to shelve the movie after Warner Bros. had already begun the process of writing it off. This is particularly unusual, as it is typically standard practice for studios to inform filmmakers of their decision to cancel a project before taking any financial action.
It is unclear why Warner Bros. decided to shelve ‘Coyote vs. Acme’, especially given that there was interest in the film from other buyers. One possibility is that the studio is simply trying to cut costs, as it has been struggling financially in recent years. Another possibility is that Warner Bros. is not satisfied with the quality of the film.
Whatever the reason, the decision to shelve ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is a disappointing one for fans of the Looney Tunes characters and for those who were looking forward to seeing John Cena in the lead role. The film had the potential to be a fun and unique take on the classic rivalry between Wile E. Coyote and the Acme Corporation.
It is also worth noting that this is not the first time in recent months that Warner Bros. has shelved a completed film. In August, the studio announced that it was canceling the release of the Batgirl film, despite the fact that it had already been filmed and was in post-production. This decision was met with widespread backlash from fans and critics alike.
The shelving of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ and ‘Batgirl’ raises concerns about the future of Warner Bros. Discovery, the newly merged company that now owns Warner Bros. Pictures. CEO David Zaslav has made it clear that he is focused on cutting costs and improving profitability. This has led to some speculation that Warner Bros. Discovery may be more likely to cancel projects, even if they are already in production or even completed.
It remains to be seen what the long-term implications of the shelving of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ and ‘Batgirl’ will be for Warner Bros. Discovery. However, it is clear that the studio is making some tough decisions in an effort to improve its bottom line.
What does this mean for filmmakers?
The shelving of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is a reminder that even completed films can be subject to cancellation. This is a risk that all filmmakers face, but it is particularly concerning for those who are working on projects for studios like Warner Bros. Discovery.
If you are a filmmaker, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of having your film shelved:
:- Make sure you have a strong contract with the studio. Your contract should clearly outline the studio’s rights and obligations, including the conditions under which the studio can cancel the film.
:- Keep the studio updated on your progress. Make sure to communicate with the studio on a regular basis and provide them with updates on your budget, schedule, and creative vision.
:_ Build relationships with key decision-makers at the studio. Get to know the executives who will be making the decision about whether or not to release your film.
By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of having your film shelved, but it is important to remember that there is never a guarantee.
Conclusion
The shelving of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is a disappointing decision for fans of the Looney Tunes characters and for those who were looking forward to seeing John Cena in the lead role. It also raises concerns about the future of Warner Bros. Discovery and the company’s commitment to filmmaking.
It remains to be seen what the long-term implications of this decision will be, but it is clear that Warner Bros. Discovery is making some tough choices in an effort to improve its bottom line.
