Walt Disney Studios has announced the official start of principal photography for producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski’s adaptation of the masked legend known as THE LONE RANGER. The pic is written by fellow PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN alumni Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, as well as Eric Aronson and Justin Haythe.
Starring Armie Hammer as the titular hero and Johnny Depp as Tonto, and the recently added William Fichtner, stepping in for Dwight Yoakam, as the villain. Additional cast members include Tom Wilkenson, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Ruth Wilson.
Here’s the official synopsis:
THE LONE RANGER is a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
Am I the only one getting nervous by the fact that they mention “humor” twice in this? I’m not expecting a Sam Peckinpah-style bloodbath here, but I don’t think any of us want a COWBOYS OF THE CARIBBEAN (or worse, COWBOYS AND ALIENS). I’ll reserve my judgement until I see a trailer, but there’s a few red flags there.
However, Verbinski is an accomplished director with style to spare and if RANGO is any indication, he’s got the pulse of the western genre. I look forward to seeing what he does with this.
THE LONE RANGER rides again on May 31, 2013
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