If you have a passing interest in film and animation, you’ve likely heard of Coyote Vs. Acme, a feature film in the Roger Rabbit tradition of blending 2D animation with live action focusing on characters from Warner Brothers’ Roadrunner cartoons. The film would have focused on Wile E. Coyote suing the ubiquitous Acme corporation after decades of selling him faulty products, and by all accounts appeared to be a passion project from everyone involved. The movie was, in fact, complete and ready for release- only for Warner Brothers to kill it at the last possible second in the name of a multi-million dollar tax writeoff.
I totally agree that it is most likely a way to balance short - and long-term income, but I guess I’m not financially savvy enough to see how a well established studio would prefer the former.
To your second point, especially for an established IP with universal appeal like the movie in question, I just can’t understand how anyone thinks the return on marketing and distribution vs. potential income would be a net negative. Remember, they’ve already made the movie, so the productuon costs are sunk.
In any case, I appreciate the detailed response.
Netflix offered to buy it, which would’ve dropped WB’s marketing costs to zero. WB said no.