John Cena is set to star in a film featuring Looney Tunes characters adapting a 1990 New Yorker humor article titled “Coyote v. Acme.” Deadline was first to report about the upcoming project, which is expected to be a hybrid of animation and live-action.
In the original New Yorker piece, a lawyer representing Wile E. Coyote sues the Acme Company for “85 separate occasions…[in which] certain products did cause him bodily injury due to defects in manufacture or improper cautionary labelling… Mr. Coyote is self-employed and thus not eligible for Workmen’s Compensation.” Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) will direct a screenplay from Samy Butch (Crown Prince)–though IMDb lists James Gunn as co-writer–in what is sure to be a fun and tongue-in-cheek film. No production start date or other cast information has yet been announced. It’s unclear if Cena will be playing or voicing an animated character.
This news also comes on the heels of Cena’s other big project, Peacemaker, has been renewed for Season 2. Ahead of the Season 1 finale airing on February 17, HBO Max finally confirmed what director Gunn has been suggesting would be coming–a likely order for more episodes of the DC project.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled by the response to Peacemaker and the experience of playing this character,” said Cena in a statement. “Thank you to James Gunn, Peter Safran, HBO Max, the crew, and my castmates who worked tirelessly to make this unforgettable series.”
