“Persistence and resilience have truly won the day,” filmmaker Dave Green wrote on social media Friday.
You can go see this movie. In a theater. In your favorite seat. With your favorite snacks. With your favorite people. You can head into a dark room and laugh with strangers. Together. Congratulations to everyone who made this happen.”
The film’s journey to theaters has been rough, to say the least.
Warner had shelved Coyote vs. Acme after the movie was completed. The project had been in development for years and was originally intended as HBO Max streaming original before Warner ultimately decided not to release it.
Warner said the decision came after it shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases after the relaunch of Warner Pictures Animation.
The studio also planned to take an estimated $30 million tax write-off by shelving the approximately $70 million movie, according to reports.
“It’s a record of the cast and crew, post, prep and animation teams who poured so much love and passion into it over years and years,” he wrote. “It’s shared with the audience who fought so hard for its survival. Your fight is the reason this film finally made it to the big screen. Thank you @ketchupentertainment for hearing the audience. We’re so grateful that you did.”
“This is a celebration, proof that movies don’t just go away. We make work so it can be seen and shared — that’s the whole reason we do what we do. Persistence and resilience have truly won the day. Enjoy Coyote vs. Acme on the big screen. Where it was always meant to be seen!” Green concluded his letter.
Forte took to X on to reply to Green’s letter, writing, “Beautifully put, Dave.” He also thanked people for their efforts to push for the movie’s release and explaining how its messages correlate with the film’s journey.
“It’s about hope and determination. It’s about fighting injustice, and it’s about the importance of friendship and the importance of community. And that last one really strikes a chord because we went through some weird times with this movie, and it is only because of the support of the community that we’re here today, seeing this movie,” Forte said. “You guys lifted us up on your shoulders and just fought and fought for this movie. Most of you, without even having seen it. So I am forever thankful, and just want you to know that I’m so excited for you to see this because I think you’re going to see that it was worth the fight.”
“Dave was a great guy throughout the ups and downs. He was never overly bitter and negative, although a little bit of bitterness and negativity was understandable in the given circumstances,” he said. “However, I think you see, when people show true character in the face of adversity, the world rises up to meet them. And in this case, it did — Coyote vs. Acme being saved is because of Dave’s character and because he made a great movie too powerful to be buried. And gosh, perseverance is kind of what Wile E. and the movie are all about.”
