John Cena’s “Coyote vs Acme,” a live-action/CG animation hybrid film, is unlikely to be released. Things went downhill last year when Warner Bros. decided to shelve the project indefinitely after spending $70 million on it, but they were willing to shop the film around to other studios.
Dave Green directed the film, which is based on the classic Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote from Warner Bros. Green is best known for directing the films Earth to Echo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Chris DeFaria and James Gunn produced the film.
Wile E. Coyote is a character who repeatedly fails to capture and kill his nemesis, the Road Runner. The former WWE champion plays the CEO of Acme Corporation.
The Wrap reports that Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount all screened the film and made offers, including Paramount’s plan to release it in theaters. However, Warner Bros. wanted a buyer to pay between $75 and $80 million, or they would take the $35 to $40 million as a tax write-off.
Although there were offers for the film, WBD refused to allow the studios to counter their asking price, stating that it was a “take it or leave it” situation. The film will most likely be shelved due to its high asking price.
