The long, winding road to bringing Coyote vs. Acme to the big screen has finally reached its destination, and for star Will Forte, the journey came with an unexpected emotional toll that only cleared once the reviews started rolling in. The actor, who plays Kevin Avery, a lawyer hired by Wile E. Coyote to sue the Acme Corporation, opened up about the ordeal in a recent interview, admitting that the film’s overwhelmingly positive critical reception has served as a form of validation after years of uncertainty surrounding the project.
Speaking candidly, Forte revealed that the production’s tumultuous history, which saw the film shelved and nearly buried by its own studio, left him questioning his own judgment. "I felt gaslit for a while," he confessed, explaining that the behind-the-scenes chaos made it difficult to trust his initial instincts about the movie’s quality. The actor said that hearing glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike has been deeply reassuring, making it feel like the creative team’s faith in the project was justified all along. "It makes it feel like you're not crazy," he added, noting that the external validation has helped him let go of lingering doubts.
The film, which premiered on August 20, 2026, has clearly struck a chord with viewers. Directed by Dave Green, Coyote vs. Acme blends live-action with beloved Looney Tunes characters, telling the story of a fed-up Wile E. Coyote who decides to abandon his endless pursuit of the Road Runner in favor of legal action. After yet another catastrophic failure of Acme’s questionable products, the coyote hires a slick billboard lawyer to sue the corporation, setting off a courtroom comedy that mixes family-friendly humor with sharp satire. The movie runs 103 minutes and carries a fresh rating of 7.6 out of 10 on TMDb, signaling strong early word-of-mouth.
Forte stars alongside Lana Condor as Paige Avery, with John Cena taking on the role of Buddy Crane, the CEO of Acme. The supporting cast includes Tone Bell as Sal Maltese, P.J. Byrne as Bill Pellicano, Martha Kelly as Dottie Jones, and Luis Guzmán as Judge Troppogrosso. Voice work is handled by Eric Bauza, who brings an impressive roster of classic characters to life, including Foghorn Leghorn, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny, Tweety, and Road Runner. The story is rooted in the comedy genre but stretches into adventure and family territory, a combination that seems to have paid off with audiences.
A Long and Bumpy Road to Release
The path to release was anything but smooth. At one point, the movie was scrapped entirely, with the studio reportedly planning to write it off as a tax loss. That decision sparked a public outcry from filmmakers and fans, who lobbied hard to save the project. The backlash was so intense that the studio eventually reversed course, allowing the film to be completed and distributed. For Forte, that period was particularly trying, as he and his colleagues watched months of work hang in the balance while executives debated the movie’s fate.
"It was a weird time," Forte said, reflecting on the uncertainty. "You pour your heart into something, and then you’re told it might never see the light of day." He described the experience as surreal, especially when the studio’s rationale for shelving the film didn’t align with what the cast and crew saw on set. The actors had shared genuine laughs during production, and test screenings reportedly went well, but the decision-makers seemed unconvinced. That disconnect, Forte explained, is what fed his feelings of being gaslit. The contrast between the enthusiasm on set and the corporate skepticism behind closed doors was jarring.
A Triumphant Creative Reunion
Now that the film is finally in theaters, Forte says the relief is palpable. Watching audiences laugh at the jokes and critics highlight the film’s clever script has been a cathartic experience. He noted that the positive response feels particularly sweet because it validates the hard work of everyone involved, from the animators to the voice actors to the crew members who never wavered in their commitment. The actor’s comments suggest that the film’s success is not just a box-office win but a personal one for a team that refused to give up on their vision.
The movie’s blend of slapstick comedy and courtroom drama has drawn comparisons to classic Warner Bros. cartoons while also feeling fresh and contemporary. Forte’s performance as the hapless lawyer caught between a determined cartoon coyote and a ruthless corporate giant anchors the film with a relatable human touch. The chemistry between the human cast and the animated characters appears to be a key ingredient in the movie’s appeal, a feat that requires careful choreography and a willingness to embrace the absurd.
As Coyote vs. Acme continues its theatrical run, Forte’s admission serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of Hollywood productions. Even a film with a stacked cast, a talented director, and beloved source material can find itself on the chopping block. For now, though, the actor can breathe easy. The critics have spoken, the audiences are laughing, and the long wait has finally paid off. Forte’s journey from doubt to vindication mirrors the movie’s own arc - a story of perseverance against the odds, with a happy ending that seemed anything but certain just a few years ago.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
