Lana Condor’s Coyote vs. Acme Moment Was Like Attending a Funeral

The movie *Acme* didn't want you to see almost died twice, and its star, Lana Condor, opened up about the emotional aftermath of Warner Bros. shelving *Coyote vs. Acme*. In a recent interview with Variety, Condor revealed the cast's fears after the studio canceled the completed film in November 2023. The cast held a 'funeral screening' on the Warner Bros. lot after the cancellation. Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the film to claim a $30 million tax write-off. Condor described the experience of watching the doomed film as deeply painful, saying, 'It's so horrible. It's like, really easy to blame yourself. You almost feel like, 'Was I the problem?' She expressed devastation for the entire production team, stating, 'You're devastated for the hundreds of people who have worked on this far longer than I have. It feels like a funeral.' The cast doubted the film before the screening, admitting, 'We went to the funeral screening on the Warner Bros. lot, and we kind of went into it thinking, 'Well, maybe it's a bad movie.' However, the screening changed their minds entirely. Warner Bros. completed the live-action animated hybrid film before deciding against releasing it. The crew received no prior warning about the cancellation. Warner Bros. had previously shelved *Batgirl* and *Scoob! Holiday Haunt* for similar tax write-offs. The decision sparked significant backlash from filmmakers and industry figures, with several leaving angry phone calls and canceling meetings. Director Dave Green voiced disappointment, emphasizing the team's dedication to the Looney Tunes characters. Warner Bros. reversed course days later and allowed the filmmakers to shop the film. Multiple studios, including Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount, expressed interest, but Warner Bros. rejected all bids after demanding $75 to $80 million. Ketchup Entertainment ultimately acquired the rights for approximately $50 million in March 2025. The film is set to open in U.S. theaters on August 28, 2026, with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes.