Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films secretly shaped one of 2026’s most surprising comedies in ways audiences won’t expect. Coyote vs. Acme director Dave Green revealed how his time as Raimi’s production assistant transformed his entire approach to filmmaking.
Dave Green on what he learned working with Sam Raimi on Spider-Man 2 and 3
Coyote vs. Acme director Dave Green discussed his early career experience with Sam Raimi in an interview with ComingSoon. Green served as a production assistant on Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. Those films gave him a front-row seat to Raimi’s distinctive filmmaking process.
Green praised Raimi’s emphasis on thorough preparation before shooting. He said, “Sam’s process is really — he focuses so much on prep, and that really taught me everything.” Raimi relies on storyboard artists, animatic teams, and previs specialists to workshop scenes repeatedly. Green explained that the team iterates “over and over and over, until everyone in the room is laughing and loving it.”
Raimi also cuts scenes together with sound before arriving on set. Green compared this approach to Alfred Hitchcock’s methods. He said Raimi is “really, kind of in the tradition of Hitchcock, taking that guide to set.” The director then shoots precisely what the team planned during preproduction. Green called this experience “hugely educational” for his own career development.
Beyond technical lessons, Green highlighted Raimi’s personal qualities on set. He described Raimi as “so fast on his toes and so funny and witty.” Green added that Raimi “is great with talent” and remains one of his favorite filmmakers. These interpersonal skills clearly left a lasting impression on the young production assistant.
Green has since applied these lessons across his directorial career. His filmography includes Earth to Echo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Coyote vs. Acme represents his most complex hybrid production yet. The film blends live-action footage with animated Looney Tunes characters. Green credited his preparation-heavy workflow directly to his time observing Raimi.
Coyote vs. Acme opens in theaters on Friday, August 28.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
