At Comic-Con 2025, it was the film “Coyote vs Acme” that took center stage. It dazzled viewers with its cutting edge mix of animation and live action. The film releases the new crew of animal criminals known as the Bad Girls, based on yet another graphic novel series from creator Aaron Blabey. That gifted ensemble includes Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova.
It definitely follows the old rules laid down by animation great Chuck Jones. This method goes a long way towards maintaining the classic duo, Coyote and Roadrunner, true to their traditional survival of the fittest follies. The Roadrunner never leaves the roadway, complying with all regulations. At the same time, the Coyote suffers greater embarrassment than damage from his countless escapades. This fidelity aims to preserve the spirit of the original cartoon shorts while introducing new narrative elements and a malleable 3D twist.
John Cena stars as a charming Acme attorney. Instead, he finds himself in an exhilarating courtroom showdown in front of a jury of cartoon characters. The movie was loosely based on a darkly funny 1990 New Yorker story. In this piece, a hilarious legal complaint is brought by Coyote against Acme, the perennial company responsible for such failed products as TNT, rocket shoes and catapults on behalf of Wile E.
During the Comic-Con presentation, the film’s stars unveiled an exciting montage showcasing Coyote’s signature mishaps—being blown up and falling into chasms—all set to Johnny Cash’s poignant cover of “Hurt.” The audience was treated to six minutes of actual film footage. One exceptional moment even featured an extended comedy bit involving the courtroom’s original opening statements. In the middle of this scene, Coyote’s lawyer (Will Forte) accidentally shoots off a rocket skate into the courtroom. The surprise twist ignites both Coyote & the judge’s robes with 🔥 blaze!
Marc Maron, who plays Snake in the film, jokingly described his character’s terrible fate during his stand-up set. He pointed out the great depth of character writing in this iteration. He said, “the depth of the character needs to read a bit more this time.” His enthusiasm for the project reverberated through the entire presentation as he provided a behind-the-scenes look into his role.
A performer playing an Acme attorney crashed the presentation in Hall H, waving around cease-and-desist letters. His over-the-top arrival deepened the thrills and heightened the already-charged sense of humor that surrounded the film.
The path to get “Coyote vs. Acme” in front of audiences hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In an emotional response, Will Forte admitted that he feels somewhat relieved and thankful for the film’s release, considering the years-long production hell that it endured. I have no idea how to explain this. Looking back on the trip this film has taken, at one time I thought for sure it was dead,” he said.
Though it seemed doomed to cancellation at one point, the film has been rescued, and it’s been met with massive excitement from long-time fans clamoring for its release. This revival reflects both the enduring popularity of the characters and the creative team’s commitment to delivering a new story that resonates with both longtime fans and new audiences alike.
