Following in the footsteps of ‘Batgirl,’ funeral screenings for the canceled film “Coyote Vs Acme” are set to take place on the Warner Bros lot this weekend for the cast and crew members.
Despite attracting multiple interested buyers, Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav made a surprising decision on Thursday, opting to write off “Coyote Vs Acme” as a $30 million tax break. This move has stirred frustration within the film community, raising concerns about the potential normalization of such actions by other studios in the future.
The controversy deepens as it’s revealed that Warners did not provide a heads-up to the creators before publicly announcing the cancellation, adding a layer of disrespect to the already disappointing news.
Adding an intriguing twist to the story, “Coyote Vs Acme” had undergone test screenings months ago and achieved remarkable success with the audience. Scoring 14 points above the average for a family movie, the final score reportedly reached the high 90s—a rarity in the world of test screenings, indicating that 95% of the audience rated it “Very Good” or “Excellent.”
Unlike the explanation given for the cancellation of “Batgirl,” Warner Bros cannot attribute the decision regarding “Coyote Vs Acme” to quality concerns. The move appears to be solely driven by financial considerations and has sparked discussions about the studio’s priorities.
The film, with a production cost of $70 million, faces allegations of being discarded due to a belief that the studio couldn’t recoup its investment, particularly when factoring in marketing costs.
Amidst the controversy, there are predictions that a leaked copy of the movie may surface online, with speculations that individuals involved in post-production, such as editors, directors, and assistants, may possess copies not known to the studio. The unfolding situation raises questions about the intersection of financial decisions and artistic merit in the film industry.
