Comic-Con 2025 delivered exciting news and heartfelt moments, celebrating director James Gunn, unveiling surprising details about the long-awaited “Coyote vs. Acme” film, and offering fresh looks at new “Star Trek” ventures.
James Gunn Honored for DC Universe Leadership
Director James Gunn received a resounding ovation from thousands at Comic-Con, a fitting tribute after the massive success of his film, “Superman.” This marked Gunn’s first public appearance since “Superman” grossed over $200 million in North America.
The tribute occurred during a panel for Season 2 of HBO’s “Peacemaker,” a series that spun off from Gunn’s 2021 film, “The Suicide Squad.” Actor John Cena, in full Peacemaker costume, playfully led the crowd in a dramatic display reminiscent of his wrestling days.
Gunn expressed his joy to the audience, stating, “Today has been the most fun day I’ve had in a year.” Fans were also treated to new scenes from “Peacemaker” Season 2, which is set to arrive in August. These glimpses showed John Cena’s character venturing into another dimension, encountering a cooler version of himself, and even featured appearances from characters introduced in “Superman.”
New Sci-Fi Adventures and Animated Surprises
Project Hail Mary Takes Flight
Following the DC panel, Ryan Gosling, along with directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, showcased scenes from their upcoming science-comedy space adventure, “Project Hail Mary.” The film, slated for a March release, introduced a fascinating alien character named Rocky, a faceless, stone-shaped entity who becomes Gosling’s unlikely partner in a cosmic effort to prevent ecological disaster.
Wile E. Coyote Goes to Court
One of the biggest surprises came with the presentation of “Coyote vs. Acme,” a movie that was once reportedly shelved but is now confirmed for an August 2026 theatrical release. The film’s stars emphasized its underdog narrative, both for the movie itself and for the iconic Wile E. Coyote.
The movie is a live-action and animation hybrid, based on a satirical 1990 New Yorker article. It depicts Coyote filing a legal complaint against Acme Corporation, the infamous maker of the frequently malfunctioning products he uses in his futile pursuit of the Roadrunner.
Laughter filled Hall H as a montage of Coyote’s classic mishaps played to Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.” Six minutes of the film were also shown, including a hilarious courtroom scene where Coyote’s lawyer, played by Will Forte, accidentally ignites the courtroom with a rocket skate. John Cena also appears as a slick lawyer for Acme, quickly charming the jury.
Will Forte shared his disbelief that the movie would ever see the light of day, saying, “I’m pretty speechless. You think back to the journey that this movie has taken. I had kind of given up hope at a certain point.” Director Dave Green confirmed the film adheres to animator Chuck Jones’ classic rules for the Coyote-Roadrunner dynamic. The film will feature cameos from many Looney Tunes characters, including Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety, and Bugs Bunny.
Bad Guys Return
Also on Saturday morning, the cast of “Bad Guys 2” teased new footage from the animated sequel. Marc Maron, who voices Snake, humorously described recording his lines on the floor to capture the character’s depth. The film, based on Aaron Blabey’s graphic novel series, introduces a new crew of animal criminals: the Bad Girls, voiced by Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, and Maria Bakalova.
Star Trek Explores New Frontiers
Paramount provided a glimpse into the future of the “Star Trek” universe, debuting first footage from the new series, “Starfleet Academy.” Starring Holly Hunter as the chancellor and Paul Giamatti, the show follows cadets as they navigate their training. It’s set to launch in 2026, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the original “Star Trek” series.
Updates were also shared for Paramount+’s “Strange New Worlds.” The unexpected news revealed that the crew of the USS Enterprise will transform into puppets for an upcoming episode, with the puppets being crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Season 3, continuing the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike’s Enterprise, will also stream on Paramount+.
- James Gunn received a warm reception following “Superman’s” success and offered a peek at “Peacemaker” Season 2.
- “Coyote vs. Acme,” previously in limbo, is confirmed for an August 2026 theatrical release.
- New “Star Trek” series “Starfleet Academy” and a puppet episode for “Strange New Worlds” were announced.
- Other upcoming films like “Project Hail Mary” and “Bad Guys 2” also showcased new details.
Comic-Con 2025 continues to buzz with an estimated 135,000 attendees, promising more exciting reveals as it progresses through the weekend.
