Walt Disney Pictures has at last gotten its troubled Lone Ranger adaptation back on track and has now selected an official February 2012 start date for production on the Johnny Depp-starring western – along with a new theatrical release date.
The Mouse House has done some additional re-shuffling of its release docket – specifically, with respect to the comic book sequel, Thor 2. While that film was previously slated to arrive in late July 2013, it has now been pushed back to November of that year… though Marvel’s other big release of 2013, Iron Man 3, remains set for a summer launch.
Lone Ranger was originally supposed to have already begun principal photography at the time of writing this, in order to make a Winter 2012 release. Disney’s concerns over the film’s intimidating budget ($250 million) nearly killed director Gore Verbinski’s controversial take on the classic American character – though, things were finally worked out after the three big names connected with the project (Verbinski, Depp, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer) dropped their “standard” $10-20 million salaries and helped lower the estimated cost to $215 million. Now, the still-expensive western is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on May 31st, 2013.
For more about Lone Ranger – the plot of which may still include werewolves and what has been described as “the biggest train sequence in film history” – read our most recent production update.
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Thor 2
Chris Hemsworth as Thor in 'The Avengers'
THR confirmed the new Lone Ranger release date, but did not indicate whether or not Disney had pushed back the Thor followup – which is now scheduled for release on November 15th, 2013 - as a direct result of the Ranger re-scheduling. Thor 2 has yet to officially lock down a director (UPDATE: Patty Jenkins has officially landed the job), so it’s certainly possible the superhero adventure was pushed back a bit because it has not yet progressed as far along the production pipeline as Disney heads originally expected. Remember, though, that’s pure speculation.
On that note – does this mean a solo venture featuring one of the less-popular Marvel characters will take the God of Thunder flick’s previous spot in July 2013? The studio’s plan has reportedly been to release two “major” titles on an annual basis, but that doesn’t mean Marvel universe heroes like Ant-Man or Dr. Strange – whose respective movies are rumored to be in the “active” stage of development – won’t be making the jump to the big screen in 2013.
Moviegoers still get to see Chris Hemsworth reprise his turn as the blonde bruiser Thor in The Avengers, which (at this point) is guaranteed to be the only Marvel in-house production arriving over the upcoming twelve months. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out The Avengers trailer as well.
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To reiterate: Lone Ranger is now prepped to gallop into U.S. theaters on May 31st, 2013.
Thor 2 will soar into U.S. theaters nearly six months later on November 15th, 2013.
Source: Walt Disney Pictures (via THR)
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My main concern is Thor 2 going up against the Hunger Games sequel and another Pixar movie in the two weeks following it’s release. Hopefully the global box office can carry this one again so we can see Thor 3.
Well, The Avengers isn’t the only Marvel movies next year…..Ghost Rider and Spider-Man. I know their with different companies
It’s a good point – I adjusted the article, in case anyone gets confused.
WHAT? NO! Would much rather see Thor 2 than Tonto vs Werewolves
^What he said^
I third this.
I fourth that!
yeah i think that lone ranger will work better in holiday season anyway
Superherohype.com just posted an article that confirmed Patty Jenkins as director. This was less than an hour ago though, so it was probably after you guys posted this article.
I’m not too excited about Thor getting moved to November. I think of Marvel films as more summer faire than heavy dreading Fall faire.
I’m also not too excited about the announcement of director. Why no Kenneth Brannah? It’s not like he did anything wrong, in fact he should be rewarded for a great film.
Can anyone explain why this happened?
BTW, I’m only tacitly excited about Lone Ranger. POTC4 proved Depp needs better supporting characters (see Sleepy Hollow) and even then it’s a crapshoot if his role works and the film itself works (see Alice in Wonderland).
Interesting date for Thor, I’ve personally wondered what sort of sucess a super hero film can have with a Fall/Winter release date instead of a summer one.
Yeah,yeah, I wonder what’s this all about..?
Make a good film and People will go to see it..The Hobbit follows Thor 35 Days later…So your really not giving it much time (In the Winter) to make up the budget and then add a profit beforehand. Thor2 as reported will be in the 200million mark $50 Million more bucks…. Once Hobbit hits…Oh Boy..its a wrap..
So Disney should already know this…
Agree, or do you think Disney has given up on Thor and there will be no Thor 3 or 4 ?
I think that like Thor they know that it’ll make a a killing at the international box office, I wonder if it was necessary to move Thor 2 in the first place.
And I agree, The Lone Ranger would’ve been better in the holiday (i think that Disney is woried about how well that one will perform so that why they’re putting it in the summer)and I too would;ve rather had thor 2 arrive sooner.
putting anywhere near the Hobbit is bad news. Come on Disney!
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How many SUper Hero movies have been released in November? Maybe they believe Thor is strong enough to carry it. It sure blew the doors off the other Super Hero movies this year and did alot better then most expected.
It seriously did. I liked Cap though, as well, just watched it for the third time the other day.
B
Kenneth Branagh passed on helming the sequel some time ago.
The only thing he did wrong was the useless Kat Dennings character. PLEASE let her not be in the new one! We have 2 beautiful and NOT useless females already, there is no need for the useless third. Natalie and Jamie Alexander are all that the flick needs. I want to see WAY more Sif this time, she totally ruled.
Needless to say, sans Darcy, I loved Thor 1, and have watched it at least 25 times. I’m a very old Thor fan from back when I was buying the Simonson run when I was a kid off of the newsstands.
Was nice to see jms in a cameo, I wish Walt got one. I have an original Kurse sketch that Walt drew for me back when I met him in 1997, very very very cool guy.
I’m glad both Walt and Louise were both thanked in the end credits. You guys DO KNOW what that casket was the frost giants wanted, right?
I flipped the minute I saw it.
Sucks for the delay on the new one, but I’m so happy they are making another one, that I’ll live. I hope the big T gets more than a few lines in the Avengers.
B