By Warner Bros. Pictures abruptly shelved its completed “Coyote vs. ACME” film in November last year for an approximately $35 million tax write-off.
The decision resulted in such a major backlash, especially from the film community, that within days they reversed course and reportedly allowed the filmmakers to shop around the $70 million-budgeted live-action/CG animation hybrid feature to other potential distributors.
The studio received various offers but seemingly didn’t approve of any of them, so it seems as though the tax write-off likely went forward and the film will never see the light of day.
The film’s leading man, Will Forte, weighed in on what happened back in February. Today John Cena, who starred as the lawyer representing the ACME corporation in the film, has weighed in while out promoting his new Prime Video comedy film “Jackpot” which has just gone online.
Speaking to The Wrap, Cena was asked about his perspective on the film. He says:
“There’s a lot there. And everyone’s perspective is different. We don’t own the film. That’s the tough part about this business, you do have a sense of ownership because you invest heart and soul. And [director] Dave Green and everybody involved, we made what we thought was a good movie.
I would have liked to seen it given a chance. But I’m just one person. And if it was shelved, I would have to think that it was shelved for the right reasons and it was a good business decision. I think I would have tremendous regret and shame if I look back on the legacy of the movie and it was shelved for reasons other than that.
So I have to believe in the process. And I love the movie, my heart and soul is in there, but it’s somebody else’s project to do what they want with and they’ve chosen accordingly.”
Dave Green directed the film from a script penned by Samy Burch and based on a story by Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater.
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