EXCLUSIVE: The fifth installment of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, titled Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence, is coming to VOD platforms on Sept 22. This is following a theatrical release that began on Aug. 7 for the David Ferino directed comedy.

The release comes via a strategic distribution partnership between Starboard Entertainment and Stonecutter Media. Additional titles distributed through the collaboration will be announced in the months ahead.

In the latest installment to the series which first launched in 1978, a young biotech prodigy develops a revolutionary genetically engineered vegetable intended to solve humanity’s greatest problems. When the experiment spirals out of control, it unleashes a new generation of killer tomatoes and sets the stage for another wildly unpredictable chapter in the cult saga. The production was shot in Southern California and stars John Astin (The Addams Family), reprising his role as Professor Gangreen, David Koechner (Anchorman), Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Catherine Corcoran (Terrifier), Dan Bakkedahl (Veep), Myrna Velasco (Star Wars Resistance) Vernée Watson (Shrinking, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Paul Bates (Coming to America), Zachary Roozen (Romeo and Juliet Killers), Samantha Bailey (Just Add Magic) and Noor Razooky (The Old Man).

“Stonecutter Media is in the business of distributing and promoting edgy, over-the-top films, and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence fits right in our wheelhouse,” said Steven Karel, Owner and President of Stonecutter Media.

“These types of films have proven time and time again to have a sales edge that you don’t get with softer movies,” he added.

“Steve and I have known each other for years, and we always believed we would eventually find the right project to work on together,” said Starboard found Thomas Zambeck.

“Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence is exactly that project. It has a worldwide fan base, an unmistakable identity and the kind of bold creative vision that cuts through a crowded market. Stonecutter understands how to reach the audience for a film like this, and this partnership gives us an opportunity to build something that extends well beyond a single release,” Zambeck added.

Stonecutter delivers film, sports and entertainment content across broadcast, cable, pay-per-view and major VOD and OTT platforms, developing release strategies designed to connect distinctive programming with its core audience. Stonecutter Media has distributed such movies as Red Wing, featuring Glen Powell in his first leading film role alongside Bill Paxton and Luke Perry.

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence produced in association with Atomic Toybox Entertainment. The film continues the creation of original Attack of the Killer Tomatoes filmmakers Costa Dillon and Steve Peace.

Editor’s note: David Ferino is a former head of video production at Deadline Hollywood

The time has finally come: Coyote vs. Acme is now playing in theaters.

To celebrate the film’s official release day, director Dave Green shared a thank-you letter on social media, writing in part, “COYOTE VS. ACME IS FINALLY, GLORIOUSLY, IN THEATERS NOW. Which means one thing. WE WON. You can go see this movie. In a theater. In your favorite seat. With your favorite snacks. With your favorite people. You can head into a dark room and laugh with strangers. Together. Congratulations to everyone who made this happen.”

Coyote vs. Acme, a hybrid live-action and animated movie set in the Looney Tunes universe, follows Wile E. Coyote as he sues the Acme Corporation after its products repeatedly fail him in his pursuit of the Road Runner. The film stars Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor, Eric Bauza and Martha Kelly.

The film’s journey to theaters has been anything but typical. The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported in November 2023 that Warner Bros. had shelved Coyote vs. Acme after the movie was completed. The project had been in development at the studio for years and was originally intended as an HBO Max streaming original before Warner Bros. ultimately decided not to release it.

At the time, Warner Bros. said the decision came as the studio shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases following the relaunch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. However, reports indicated that the studio planned to take an estimated $30 million tax write-down by shelving the approximately $70 million movie.

The decision sparked widespread backlash from fans, filmmakers and the film’s stars, who continued to publicly advocate for the movie’s release.

In March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Coyote vs. Acme from Warner Bros., giving the film a path to a theatrical release. The deal was reportedly valued at around $50 million.

Green went on to explain why the film’s theatrical release is a “victory.”

“It’s a record of the cast and crew, post, prep and animation teams who poured so much love and passion into it over years and years,” he wrote. “It’s shared, permanently, with the audience who fought so hard for its survival. Your fight is the reason this film finally made it to the big screen. Thank you @ketchupentertainment for hearing the audience. We’re so grateful that you did.”

“This is a celebration, it’s proof that movies don’t just go away. We make work so it can be seen and shared — that’s the whole reason we do what we do. Persistence and resilience have truly won the day. Enjoy Coyote vs. Acme on the big screen. Where it was always meant to be seen!” Green concluded his letter.

Forte took to X on Friday to reply to Green’s letter, writing, “Beautifully put, Dave.” He also shared a video thanking people for their efforts to push for the movie’s release and explaining how its messages correlate with the film’s journey.

“It’s about hope and determination. It’s about fighting injustice, and it’s about the importance of friendship and the importance of community. And that last one really strikes a chord because we went through some weird times with this movie, and it is only because of the support of the community that we’re here today, seeing this movie,” Forte said. “You guys lifted us up on your shoulders and just fought and fought for this movie. Most of you, without even having seen it. So I am forever thankful, and just want you to know that I’m so excited for you to see this because I think you’re going to see that it was worth the fight.”

In THR‘s profile of Green, published earlier this month, DC Studios co-head James Gunn, who produced the feature and worked on the story, also reflected on Coyote vs. Acme‘s journey.

“Dave was a great guy throughout the ups and downs. He was never overly bitter and negative, although a little bit of bitterness and negativity was understandable in the given circumstances,” he said. “However, I think you see, when people show true character in the face of adversity, the world rises up to meet them. And in this case, it did — Coyote vs. Acme being saved is because of Dave’s character and because he made a great movie too powerful to be buried. And gosh, perseverance is kind of what Wile E. and the movie are all about.”

Although the MCU has expanded the multiverse to bring back multiple Spider-Men, Shailene Woodley‘s Mary Jane Watson remains lost on the cutting room floor.

The 2x Golden Globe nominee recently recalled her performance as Mary Jane Watson being cut from 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 after filming scenes with Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker.

“Oh, we shot it. That was a fun phone call,” she said in a talk with SAG-AFTRA. “I was cast as Mary Jane for Spider-Man, which was my dream. Oh my god, Spider-Man’s my favorite superhero, Mary Jane was my favorite character growing up. So, when I got it, I was like, ‘This is so exciting!’

“And then, we filmed like three scenes together, me and Andrew Garfield. And then, like a year later, they were like, ‘So, you’re not in the movie anymore.’ And I was like, ‘What? What do you mean?’ And they’re like, ‘We’ve introduced a lot of new characters in this last one, and we’re going to wait for whatever happens between [Emma Stone] and Andrew [Garfield].’”

Woodley continued, “They were like, ‘Let’s wait for her to die, and then we’ll introduce Mary Jane.’ Which made sense, but then they didn’t make that film. So, there was no reintroduction. … That’s what I was told, but again, who knows what the truth is? I could have been terrible, and they were like, ‘We can’t do this.’”

Although Garfield’s Spider-Man teamed up with Tom Holland and Tobey Maguire in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, he said “unequivocally fucking no” to reprising the role in Avengers: Doomsday, premiering Dec. 18 in theaters. But he hasn’t completely ruled out another movie in his Spidey continuity, which could give Woodley’s Mary Jane her long-overdue debut.

“I really love playing Spider-Man. I would love to play the character again in some capacity, but I think it would have to be very weird,” said Garfield last year. “I think I would want to do something very strange.”