Warner Bros’ decision to write off its completed, live action-animation hybrid film Acme vs. Coyote blew up in its face like a box of Acme-brand TNT.

The John Cena-led film, which finished shooting in 2022 before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, was ready for theatrical release, seemed about to follow Warner’s previous cinematic casualties, Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt, both of which were near completion when they were shelved in 2022, ostensibly as a tax writeoff for Warner Bros, which had just merged with Discovery.

Just days after announcing that the $30 million film would stay in the can, Warner Bros seem to be backtracking. Puck, a newsletter covering the industry, and Deadline first reported that screenings are being set up for Amazon Prime Video, Apple and Netflix to acquire the movie, which was intended to be released in theaters.

Director Dave Green’s film is likely to end up on Amazon, according to Deadline, given that Courtenay Valenti, now the Head of Film, Streaming and Theatrical for Amazon Studios and MGM was once the President of Production and Development at Warner Bros. where she championed the film in its development.

After Batgirl‘s release was canceled, a subtle narrative emerged blaming the filmmakers, saying the movie wasn’t very good. “Our job is to protect the DC brand, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Zaslav declared during 2022 investor’s call days after the cancelation. Peter Safran, who became the co-head of DC Studios after Batgirl was shelved, said the team behind the film was talented, but that Batgirl “was not releasable” when discussing it in interviews last January.

Green’s friends in the industry worked to counter that message before it toook hold and tarnished the reputation of Coyote vs. Acme. There is still a planned “funeral screening” this week on the Warners lot, allowing the cast and crew a chance to enjoy the finished product (even if no one else can), according to sources. Now that the movie has a chance at release through another distributor, calling the screening a “funeral” is no longer apt.

 The plot of Coyote vs. Acme follows the voice-less, relentless Wile E. Coyote as he teams up with a lawyer (played by Will Forte) to fight the big ACME corporation. Just like in the cartoons, Coyote buys ACME devices to try and capture or kill the Road Runner, but they malfunction and/or literally blow up in his face. The Hollywood Reporter article on the subject notes the story within the film mirrors the one without, of an underdog taking on a heartless company with a reputation for badly-timed explosions that finally must face the consequences.