The Lone Ranger
It was announced early last year that Jerry Bruckheimer would be bringing us a new, big-screen version of the classic radio and TV series, The Lone Ranger. The only absolutely solid confirmation we’ve had about the project (apart from the fact that it’s getting made, of course) is that Johnny Depp will play Tonto, The Lone Ranger’s assistant (for lack of a better term). It was reported last month that Mike Newell (who’s directing Bruckheimer’s produced Prince of Persia movie) might be the film’s director, but that has not been confirmed.
However, in practically denying those earlier rumors that Newell would be The Lone Ranger’s director, Bruckheimer had this to say:
“They’re [Disney] going to wait until they got a director and [they] say[s] to go make the movie… We don’t have a director yet. He’s [Newell] too busy on ‘Prince of Persia’ right now.”
So even if it’s not a complete denial, since after Prince of Persia is done with, Newell might be able to jump ship to The Lone Ranger. But if Bruckheimer wants to get going anytime soon with the Lone Ranger project, he may have to count Newell out. I personally am more interested in who will play The Lone Ranger, leading Depp of all people (I still don’t see why Depp is playing Tonto and not the Ranger), but unfortunately there’s still no details on possible casting for the lead.
I am very interested to see what Bruckheimer (and whoever he gets as the director) will do with a new Lone Ranger project. My interest is mainly because of Depp’s involvement, however, as he rarely lets me down. The curiosity of seeing Depp as Tonto instead of The Lone Ranger is also very high, too.
What would you like to see as the story for Pirates 4? And who would you like to see play The Lone Ranger?
Both Pirates of the Caribbean 4 and The Lone Ranger are slated for a release sometime in 2012.
Source: ComingSoon.net
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17 Comments
I liked all three POTC films, but if they make another I would like them to get rid of the love story between Swan and Turner.
the good thing is, with Will under the curse of the pearl, he can only come ashore every 10 years to see his lady.
hopefully they wouldn’t try to revolve the movie around removing the curse from Will to be with Elizabeth.
In my mind Captain Jack Sparrow is there money maker, so if Disney is smart, Jack will be the only focus for the 4th movie.
I don’t see why Disney can’t cast an actual Native American as Tonto. Is there a dearth of qualified Native American actors who can play the part, or is it just Disney cashing in on the Depp star power? My guess is the latter. I think that is a shame, too. They could have used Depp to play a really cool villain. Besides, with Depp as Tonto wouldn’t they have to cast someone closer to his age or older to play the Lone Ranger?
As for POTC, I am on board with a 4th film as long as it isn’t as insufferably long as the last one. I’m glad to hear that Knightley isn’t going to be in this one as they can really flesh out the Captain Jack storyline.
I think clint eastwood would be a great director for this Iconic project
If Johnny Depp is playing Tonto, I would guess the story will probably focus more on that character – which could be an interesting spin, I guess.
I suppose in the acting world you often have actors playing characters with different accents, mannerisms, and ethnic backgrounds than their own. It would have been nice to a good Native American actor take the role, as Jay Silverheels brought a certain dignity to the character, IMHO.
I could care less about another “Pirates” movie, they outlived their welcome with me, I’m afraid.
Sorry for two posts!
I loved all three POTC movies and i know you want to “ditch” the romance but i have a feeling with no keira or orlando ole captain jack will have his own love story you have to deal with.
I just hope that with POTC, they get back to the fun of the franchise and maroon the melodrama. I’m a diehard POTC fan, but the second two movies could’ve done without the 3000 different villains/antagonists/whatevers. Not to mention the extreme ANGST of the romantic storyline. People don’t go see a swashbuckler to get depressed.
And I couldn’t agree more with you about the romantic storyline between Will and Elizabeth. Perhaps Rossio and Elliot will have a character make a small update on the status of the two, and then move on. *wishful thinking*
I have pretty high hopes for Pirates 4, though. Looking forward to it, deffinately. And “The Lone Ranger” should be interesting at the very least.
1st movie = good
2nd movie = ehh ok
3rd movie = a mess wtf happened
The franchised has diminished more and more from movie to movie…the romance must be ended…if they do something with sparow and barbosa and take teh story in a diff direcion (without turner) they might be able to salvagei it, for kids…any adult that liked the past two movies is an idiot
It does not make sense, to me, to cast Johnny Depp as Tonto. There are plenty of American Indian actors (Adam Beech, to name one) who would be excellent in the role. Casting Depp shows lack of imagination. As to the role of the Lone Ranger, the character is supposed to be a former Texas Ranger, so it would make sense to cast an actor that can handle that type of cowboy/lawman role. So many younger actors today are more boy than man, and the Lone Ranger needs to be a real man’s man, not a boy “playing” a man.
Although I like The Lone Ranger & Tonto, I never particularly considered myself a big Lone Ranger fan, but… wow.
I can’t believe that it would ever even be suggested in this current age of high-quality, high-realism, true-to-history films, that a studio would or could resort to such a completely stupid idea as using a Euro-descent white man for a Native American. What a travesty! Not to mention an utter blasphemy to a property loved by millions (yes, you heard me… Millions).
Long gone are the days when studios felt that Native Americans were idiots and couldn’t act, so instead used so obviously Caucasian actors to play them. It was so blantantly a slap in the face to the Native Americans, and an insult to their existence. There was very seldom a single example of a real Native American on screen, bringing their true heritage into public awareness.
In the 50’s and before, it was truly rare that film-watching Americans would ever see a genuine Native American.
Over the last 25 or so years, all that started to change. From Windwalker, which was considered one of the most faithful & respectful films about Native American culture, to Dances with Wolves, to Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, and even to the wonderful Lone Ranger telefilm a couple years ago with Murray & Arcand… Studios have gotten better about recognizing Native Americans as a rich source of quality film material, and that who better to play a Native American… than a Native American. And there is no shortage of talented Native American actors to do this.
The thought of using Depp as Tonto turns my stomach, and I wouldn’t ever go to it, even if the studio were to pay me to do so.
The Lone Ranger is one of the ‘Superheroes, before Superheroes existed’. Along with Zorro and Robin Hood, he brought justice to an unjust world, and protected the innocent, just as Superman, Batman, & Green Arrow did later on. The Lone Ranger needs to be given the honor and dignity of being done correctly, or not at all.
First off yeah there should definitely be a Native American (a real one) playing Tonto. But this is Johnny Depp, one of the biggest stars in the world, he is definitely going to have whatever part he wants to go for. However, I dont think it would be far from him to play the lead character and they could go ahead and bring in a Native American actor to play Tonto. Just as an opinion, I think Tonto is going to be a half breed in the film if Depp continues to be casted as the faithful sidekick. Among whoever they cast, they definitely must place a role in there for Sam Elliot. Lets face it you cannot have a good western style film without the tall cowboy! As a means to an end, Viggo Mortenson would make a decent “Masked Man”. If there is anyone else who could hypothetically fill the role better someone please let your opinion be known.
You know thinking on it now; picture this, how would it sound if Brad Johnson from were to play the “Masked Man”?
Depp’s character became too boring. I prefer Will Turner played by Orlando Bloom and Elizabeth played by Keira Knightly over Jack Sparrow/Depp anytime. Their story is interesting. The characters are interesting. What’s interesting about Sparrow? – He runs after his ship/Barbossa over and over again, betraying and solving his problems at the account of others. I don’t like him. He is needed only as a catalyst. Besides, the character itself is way too predictable. I want my good guys back.
oh my god! pleeeeze do not i repeat do not let them cast george cloony as the lone ranger. he will kill the whole movie. he will stink it up & make his own self look stupid.
I’d like to see either Matthew Maconahey, Vigo Mortensen or Nicholas Cage play the Lone Ranger. I totally agree I really can’t see Johnny Depp as Tonto. I mean it just doesn’t make sense! Adam Beach or and this will sound nuts, but he is, Adam Beach is as well, but you know who would make a good Tonto Boston Red Sox’s Jacoby Elsberry or and this is an honorable mention what about New York Yankee’s Joba Chamberlin? They are the only two American Indians in baseball and Chamberlin maybe the biggest Indian I’ve ever seen and he certainly would be the biggest Tonto as the late Jay Silverheels was not all that overly tall. It might give an interesting twist to the film and something that would be of benefit to Disney, baseball and the American Indian. Give me some feedback, God speed and happy trails….
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