Screen Rant is at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, where we just learned that this uncancelled movie is bringing back one of Hollywood’s oldest and most random traditions. Despite movies coming out of Hollywood for over a hundred years now, some staples from the old days of Hollywood filmmaking have endured, with this upcoming movie bringing back a long-running Easter egg.
After years of troubled development, Coyote vs. Acme has finally been saved. Ketchup Entertainment has picked up distribution for the Looney Tunes film from Warner Bros. Discovery, allowing the film to be released. Coyote vs. Acme was famously shelved for tax purposes by Warner Bros. Discovery, with many Looney Tunes fans worrying that the movie wouldn’t see the light of day before Ketchup’s intervention.
Now, Coyote vs. Acme got its own panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, revealing that the movie will hit theaters on August 28, 2026. Alongside the release date, the panel featured the release of more Coyote vs. Acme news, such as the first footage from the film, more plot details, and the reveal of a major returning Looney Tunes staple.
Animated Peter Lorre Will Return In Coyote vs. Acme
As Confirmed At San Diego Comic-Con 2025
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 officially featured the announcement that animated Peter Lorre will be returning in Coyote vs. Acme. Peter Lorre was a beloved Hollywood actor who worked in the film industry from the late 1920s through the mid-1960s, with him appearing in iconic films like M, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and more.
Coyote vs. Acme director Dave Green confirmed that Peter Lorre will be getting a homage in the upcoming film, with him appearing in animated form. According to Green, “animated Peter Lorre is in the movie and he’s one of our favorite characters.” The context of the cameo appearance isn’t yet known, but it will be exciting to see a Peter Lorre homage again appear in the Looney Tunes franchise.
The Old Hollywood Legend Is Practically A Looney Tunes Staple
And A Staple Of The Entire Animation Industry
Starting in the 1940s, Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies cartoons began paying homage to Peter Lorre by featuring characters who resembled the actor’s voice and physical mannerisms in their shorts. Lorre is featured in all kinds of beloved Looney Tunes cartoons, with him becoming a staple of the franchise. However, Lorre’s cameos extend far beyond Looney Tunes and even his death in 1964.
Lorre-inspired characters continued to pop up in more modern Looney Tunes projects, like Tiny Toons Adventures and Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Outside of Looney Tunes, Lorre-inspired characters have become a staple of Tim Burton’s filmography, appearing in movies like The Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie.
The Brave Little Toaster, Aladdin, and even SpongeBob SquarePants have featured Peter Lorre homages as well. The voices of some iconic cartoon characters have been inspired by Lorre, such as Ren from The Ren & Stimpy Show and even Kamek from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Peter Lorre is a staple of animation, and it is nice for his appearance in Coyote vs. Acme to be confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025.
