Peacemaker star John Cena is set to headline Warner Bros.’ upcoming live-action/CG hybrid Looney Tunes film Coyote vs. Acme.
According to THR, Cena will play an antagonist and the former boss of a human lawyer tasked with sitting in on a case in which Wile E. Coyote sues Acme for defective products that leave him with bodily injuries instead of capturing the Road Runner. The film is inspired by Ian Frazier’s New Yorker article “Coyote v. Acme.”
Coyote vs. Acme was announced in 2018, at which time Jon and Josh Silberman were attached to pen the script. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows director Dave Green boarded the project in 2019, and after leaving their screenwriting duties briefly, the Silbermans returned to their original roles when producer Chris McKay exited.
The most recent update on Coyote vs. Acme came in 2020 when it was reported that the movie was eyeing a 2023 release and that Peacemaker creator James Gunn had joined the Silbermans, along with Jeremy Slater and Samy Burch. At the time of this writing, it appears that only Burch is writing the script, with Gunn producing.
The most recent live-action/CG hybrid Looney Tunes film was Space Jam: A New Legacy, which was a critical and commercial airball. “Space Jam was made in 1996, MJ wasn’t just the best basketball player … he was the biggest celebrity in the world,” original Space Jam director Joe Pytka said after the sequel’s release. “The truth is that LeBron [James] ain’t Michael.” A New Legacy would go on to earn $162.9 million worldwide and was released in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously.
News of Cena’s involvement in Coyote vs. Acme comes just after it was announced that Peacemaker was renewed for Season 2. “I am incredibly honored and humbled by the response to Peacemaker and the experience of playing this character,” Cena said. “Thank you to James Gunn, Peter Safran, HBO Max, the crew, and my castmates who worked tirelessly to make this unforgettable series.”
Coyote vs. Acme drops into theaters like a rogue anvil on July 21, 2023.
Source: THR
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