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It appears the knock-on effect of the relatively weak performance of Cowboys & Aliens is resulting in a Hollywood withdrawal from the Weird West genre. The Lone Ranger starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer has been shelved by Disney due to a spiralling budget. It was to feature werewolves in a Weird West twist.
“It was going to be a Tonto show mainly… The driving engine was going to be Native American occult aspects worked in with werewolves and special effects. But flavored with doses of Native American spirituality in a serious way.
“But then Cowboys & Aliens came along and tanked and Disney got cold tenderfeet, spooked by the idea of a pricey mashup. If Cowboys & Aliens had made $200 million, this wouldn’t be happening. A Bruckheimer-style western in the wake of Cowboys & Aliens is nothing anyone is feeling secure about at this stage. Trust me, the writers of tentpole garbage are all scared now,” states a source on the Hollywood Elsewhere website.
I’m not personally sorry to see this one go. Johnny Depp as Tonto was sticking in my craw.