Screen Rant » the lone ranger

Disney Update: ‘Pirates 4′ & ‘The Lone Ranger’

Ross Miller — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:23:38 +0000

If you’re wondering what’s up with the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, or the big-screen Lone Ranger movie, then you’ve come to the right place! Jerry Bruckheimer (producer of the Pirates movies) recently spoke with Coming Soon about the two Disney movies, updating us on the status of both of them.

Pirates of the Caribbean 4

Bruckheimer has said straight away that Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is the priority for Disney:

“It’s a great franchise for them and for us, too… A beloved character and Johnny’s really excited about coming back to Captain Jack. He certainly is interested in Tonto, but Disney’s priority is to get ‘Pirates’ made first. You never know what’s going to happen, but they would like it.”

Bruckheimer went on to say that the original Pirates writer, Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot, are currently writing the fourth installment, that it was, “funny,” and a, “whole new way of going.” However, he predictably didn’t give up anymore details about the nature of the movie beyond that.

When asked about Gore Verbinski’s possible return to the Pirates franchise (he directed the first three), even though we already know he has moved on Bruckheimer said “You never know [if Verbinski will come back]… He created the [Pirates] franchise so we’d love to have him back, but it’s kind of up to him.”

The only way I would ever want to see another Pirates of the Caribbean movie is if they ditch the romance storyline between Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley’s characters (Knightly has previously stated she won’t be returning to the franchise), and concentrate on Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp has previously been confirmed to return to play him) and Captain Barbossa. To me they were always the two most interesting characters of the whole Pirates franchise, and about the only thing I liked about both the second and third movies.

Continue for news on The Lone Ranger

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Bruckheimer’s Lone Ranger May Have A Director

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:15:29 +0000

Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels as The Lone Ranger and Tonto

I remember watching The Lone Ranger on TV, the classic show that was adapted from George W. Trendle’s classic old-time radio show. I still listen to the replays of the old 1930’s radio show today on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

“A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty ‘Hi-yo, Silver!’, The Lone Ranger!“

Oh yea. Those are good memories. Listening to the radio show has its own merits. If you’re a regular long time reader of Screen Rant, then you also know that there are efforts afoot to get a modern day version of The Lone Ranger on the silver screen.

In February of 2008, we told you about Jerry Bruckheimer looking to redo The Lone Ranger. Like we said then, with a Disney backed Bruckheimer behind the lens, The Lone Ranger is in for some interesting action.

We also pointed out that the effort was going to be written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who have penned a few things in the past, including Aladdin, Shrek and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Then in September of 2008, we let you know the news that Johnny Depp was coming on as Tonto.

With Depp playing Tonto, who in the heck is going to lead Depp as the main character, The Lone Ranger? Early… very early rumors put Nicolas Case in the mask. More recent rumors have George Clooney possibly playing The Lone Ranger.

Several sites said that Clooney was signed on and other sites reported it but linked to themselves rather than their sources. Eesh. In circles we all go, but then, this is why you come to Screen Rant, to get straightened out.

After the Clooney speculation floated around, Bruckheimer himself denied that Clooney had been confirmed for the role, saying that they needed to find a director first.

Now we have a director who is in contract talks to helm the project – His name is Mike Newell. Sound familiar? It might if you’re a Prince of Persia fan. Right now Newell is in the middle of directing Prince of Persia, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton, but when he’s done there, he just might head on over to helm our surviving Texas Ranger.

His past credits, if you’re wondering, include the 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and he’s worked with Johnny Depp before when he directed the 1997 film Donnie Brasco.

Tonto

I know Depp has talent that comes from some untapped depth of character, but Tonto? Is there something out there he’s done that might make you think Depp can pull off a Tonto characterization? I’m sure he’ll deliver as usual. He has an expansive source of originality. But… I am not wrapping my mind around this that easily. My wife snapped at me that she can totally see him as Tonto. Anyone else want to weigh in on that?

The Lone Ranger

There have been no confirmations. In fact, there seem to have been denials of George Clooney playing the Texas Ranger. Yet, even if the denials are just SOP, I again, can’t wrap my mind around Clooney on a horse, in a mask. The last time he donned a mask, well, it probably wasn’t a great experience for him… though he did get to work with the slinky hot Uma Thurman doing Batman And Robin if that counts for anything. How about Dolph Lundgren? WAIT… don’t go to the comments section to flame me… I was just fooling with you guys. Seeing who’s really reading.

About The Story Of The Lone Ranger

It all starts with six Texas Rangers getting ambushed by a ruthless gang. Five are killed. The sixth Ranger survives, but leaves six graves so the gang that ambushed them didn’t know he survived. One of those graves holds his brother. Hence, he dons the mask so he cannot be recognized, keeping the myth of his death alive. The gang would not know he’s out there looking for them. He is driven by his vow to bring the gang that ambushed him and killers like them, all to justice.

The masked man’s last name is Reid, (Though he originally went unnamed), and once he had a name, he was never given a first name by the original series, though later modern-day versions have.
The original radio program ran for an amazing 2,900+ episodes.
His mask was made from the Ranger vest of his fallen brother who was one of the other 5 Rangers.
Silver was a white stallion that was attacked by a buffalo. Reid and Tonto found the horse and nursed it back to health. The horse stayed with him from that point on from gratitude.
He used silver bullets because like life, silver is valuable and should not be wasted. With that, he vowed to never shoot to kill.

After All Is Said And Done

This new version of The Lone Ranger will again show us the origin of how The Lone Ranger came to be. The question will be how closely Bruckheimer sticks to the story or if he’ll really make it his own in this era of endless remakes.

I’ve been a big fan of the franchise and I am building a subtle anticipation for this project. I hope I’m not alone in that! Am I?

Sources: Wikipedia, BBC News, Coming Soon, Main Image: The Lone Ranger Club,

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George Clooney As The Lone Ranger?

Niall Browne — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:24:39 +0000

When news broke earlier in the week that Johnny Depp would be playing Tonto in Jerry Bruickheimer’s The Lone Ranger, quite a few people thought that it would be difficult to find an actor to ride along side Depp and hold his own as the iconic titular character.

Now Ain’t It Cool has a scoop saying that George Clooney has shown a keen interest in the role of The Lone Ranger. However, would the blockbuster-shy Clooney be interested in starring in such a blatantly commercial film?

Keep reading to find out.

While Clooney has starred in such commercial fare as Batman and Robin (eek!), The Perfect Storm and the Ocean’s movies, he has usually chosen artier films and put quality of material above the paycheck. Clooney likes to surround himself with top tier cast and crew, and I feel that he could be persuaded to team with Depp, who is also an actor that walks a very thin line between art and commerce.

The casting of Clooney would be ideal: He has the all American good looks to play the masked avenger (didn’t he already play one of those) and he would make one heck of a dynamic duo with Depp (again, hasn’t he been here before?). Although, the pair are knocking on a bit (both are well into their forties), could the film be about an older and wiser Lone Ranger and Tonto?

Time will tell if Clooney does choose the role, and the choice will probably come down to the script. If he does decide to saddle up Silver, we can assume that the film will be a pretty big hit. Johnny Depp and George Clooney in a Bruickheimer-produced The Lone Ranger film could be the first western that has a bigger female attendance than male, and if it’s got that Disney sheen, then the sky is the limit.

How long before the title of this thing changes to The Lone Ranger and Tonto?

Source: Aintitcool.com

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Johnny Depp As Captain Jack Tonto With A Mad Hat…

Rob Keyes — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:17:08 +0000

In July, Screen Rant brought you news about everybody’s favorite bizarre-character actor, Johnny Deep being cast as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. This came as no big surprise since Burton and Depp are married, err… I mean close friends in a business-sense sort of way. They are well known as one of the biggest and longest running director-actor relationships in the industry and this will be their 7th feature film together.

On Wednesday, the big news came with Disney holding an all-day event and presentation where they again confirmed the Mad Hatter announcement and revealed some other interesting tidbits. During the showcase, Depp made an appearance sporting his full Jack Sparrow outfit and it’s confirmed that the infamous captain Jack will be back for more rum-induced wackiness in Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

Along with these announcements, it was also unexpectedly revealed that Depp is signed to play Tonto in an upcoming remake of The Lone Ranger. Tonto is just the sidekick to the main man in that film, so it will be interesting to see who will play the lead. Apparently, when Captain Jack first came on stage, he was sporting the lone ranger mask as well, and removed it revealing himself as Depp – much to the crowd’s excitement.

The 3D-animated Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean 4 are set for 2010 and 2011 release dates respectively. There’s no date set for The Lone Ranger.

Do you think a fourth, and possibly a fifth Pirates installment is good news? What do you think of Depp as the Lone Ranger’s sidekick? Who then should play the lead? I think it has to be big star otherwise Depp will steal the screentime and spotlight. As for Pirates, I’m all for it, as long as they’re taking it in a new direction which it sounds like they are. I thought the second film was watchable but the third one was awful.

Sources: IESB.net, Ain’t it Cool News

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Jerry Bruckheimer Says Hi Ho Silver

Bruce Simmons — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:27:51 +0000

Despite a few recent attempts at resurrecting The Lone Ranger by others, director Jerry Bruckheimer will be taking a swing at the legendary hero of yesteryear to see if he can succeed where others have failed.

With the flair I’ve come to enjoy from Bruckheimer, The Lone Ranger could turn out to be good. It’s being written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who have penned a few things in the past, including Aladdin, Shrek and Pirates of the Caribbean.

A 1981 film adaptation of The Legend of the Lone Ranger did absolutely nothing for actor Klinton Spilsbury, and the recent attempt by the network formerly known as “The WB” to launch a TV version starring One Tree Hill’s Chad Michael Murray never made it past the review panels to series status. (Ouch!)

Regarding our intrepid hero: He doesn’t cuss or drink, and believes in a strict moral code. Only uses guns when he has to, and even then never shooting to kill. This may be a tough act to create and make believable. The only other hero who comes to my mind at the moment who has a distaste for guns, and is a successful modern day franchise, is Batman. He’s the man in my book.

Unlike most remakes we’ve been pummeled with of late, Bruckheimer says that this won’t be an update as it will be a delving into the origins of the character. We’ll be seeing more of the Texas Rangers in those days, and how the characters become who they are.

As Bruckheimer put it in an interview:

“this ain’t gonna be Captain Jack on a horse, Jack.”

My prediction: This probably won’t suck!

In the event you live in a cave that does not have cable or satellite, The Lone Ranger was adapted from a 1930s radio show that became a very popular live-action television show in the ’50s. It featured a masked Texas Ranger who does good deeds in the old West, with his Native American sidekick, Tonto.

Source: MTV Movie Blogs

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