Ketchup Buys Coyote v. Acme from Warner Bros.
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- Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the nearly finished "Coyote v. Acme" in 2023 as part of a pattern of shelving projects for tax write‑offs, following the cancellations of Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt.
- Warner Bros. Discovery offered the film’s distribution rights to Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount, but rejected multiple proposals before a deal was secured.
- Ketchup Entertainment bought the distribution rights in 2025 and released the first trailer, framing the release as a counter‑move to WBD’s decision.
- Paramount Skydance received shareholder approval for a $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that could give CEO David Zaslav a sizable golden parachute.
- Test audiences and animation veterans such as Phil Lord and Chris Miller praised the film’s humor, smartness, and charm, according to the article.
- David Zaslav’s leadership is depicted as profit‑first, with the “Coyote v. Acme” saga cited as evidence that he “throws creative partners under the bus.”
Why it matters: Ketchup Entertainment gains a ready‑made theatrical product and a buzz‑driven marketing angle, while Warner Bros. Discovery offloads a costly, shelved film and moves closer to a $110 billion Paramount Skydance deal that could net David Zaslav a sizable exit package, while shareholders see potential value from the acquisition.
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