Overview
- The revival of Coyote vs. Acme by Ketchup Entertainment reignites optimism for other unreleased films, including Batgirl.
- Ketchup Entertainment’s acquisition has rejuvenated the dormant Coyote vs. Acme, sparking hope for similar shelved projects.
- The financial success of Coyote vs. Acme could reopen doors for Batgirl if it outperforms expectations at the box office.
April 1 marked a significant day for fans of Looney Tunes and Warner Bros. Pictures, transcending the usual April Fool’s festivities. The announcement highlighted that the long-shelved film, Coyote vs. Acme, has been rescued from oblivion thanks to Ketchup Entertainment acquiring the distribution rights for a whopping $50 million. While a trailer has yet to be unveiled, the film is poised to tap into the nostalgia surrounding Wile E. Coyote, who famously takes ACME Corporation to court over the failure of its gadgets in his relentless pursuit of the Road Runner.
The return of Coyote vs. Acme serves as a poignant reminder for supporters of Batgirl, another Warner Bros. project that remains in limbo. Ultimately, the fate of Batgirl now lies in the hands of its fans and the broader moviegoing public.
Coyote vs. Acme and Batgirl: A Shared Shelf Life
An Unprecedented Cancellation by Warner Bros.
Nearly three years have passed since Warner Bros. shockingly canceled the completed Batgirl movie just months before its anticipated premiere. Starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon, with Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser also in the cast, the film was abruptly pulled from the release slate several months post-production, reportedly for tax write-off purposes, causing surprise among the cast and crew.
Despite the wealth of talent involved, industry executives felt the film was not suitable for release. As noted by Peter Safran, the decision to shutter a $70 million project was deemed necessary, fearing it would adversely affect the DC franchise and those who worked on it.
The controversial decision to cancel such a high-budget project sparked significant criticism, even drawing the attention of U.S. lawmakers who questioned the Warner Bros.-Discovery merger. Test screenings reportedly returned overwhelmingly negative feedback, and the axing of Batgirl also extended to Scoob! Holiday Haunt, which remains unreleased.
Can Coyote vs. Acme’s Box Office Revitalize Batgirl?
A Litmus Test for Unreleased Films
Currently, Batgirl seems unlikely to see a release. However, with Coyote vs. Acme being saved, hope is alive. If Coyote vs. Acme performs well at the box office, it could potentially stimulate a resurgence for Batgirl.
That said, caution is warranted. Recent box office figures for another animated film, The Day the Earth Blew Up, are sobering. Despite a commendable 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it fell short at the box office, barely recouping $10 million of its $15 million production budget.
Should Coyote vs. Acme replicate such underperformance, it would reinforce David Zaslav’s decisions about Batgirl and further dampen expectations for any resurgence of shelved projects. In an industry governed by financial considerations above creative expression, disappointing returns for Coyote vs. Acme could seal the already dim fate of Batgirl.
To be considered a sound investment, Coyote vs. Acme would need to gross at least $160 million, comparable to the financial trajectory of Space Jam: A New Legacy, which, despite a $163 million total revenue, failed to break even against a hefty $150 million budget.
Lessons Learned by Warner Bros. from the DCEU
Why Social Media Support Doesn’t Always Equal Box Office Returns
The now-defunct DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has been a topic of much debate. The initial films of the franchise, excluding Wonder Woman, received mixed to poor critical responses, but they consistently turned a profit. Still, growing dissatisfaction among the audience led to a complete overhaul of the franchise, starting with changes made to Suicide Squad and continuing with The Flash.
Despite slight improvements in audience reception for post-Snyder films, many failed to recover their production costs. This inconsistency might have fueled the drastic move to reboot the DCEU. Apart from the Aquaman films, all other productions in the post-Snyder era either underperformed or barely matched their budgets, highlighting the challenges ahead for Warner Bros.
Is There Still Hope for Batgirl?
If Coyote vs. Acme achieves the commercial success anticipated, there’s a possibility that Warner Bros. executives, including David Zaslav, might reconsider their stance on Batgirl. That said, the timing may be a critical factor. With James Gunn leading a new vision for the DC Universe, starting with Superman, the chance for Batgirl to be revisited may diminish as the franchise pivots away from its previous iterations. Fans of the project can only hope that its creative team receives the opportunity they deserve to bring their vision to life.