Disney’s The Lone Ranger is back in production following cuts to the original extravagent $275 million budget. The press release gives a hint of the revised storyline. It does appear that Tonto takes center stage and the “spirit warrior” reference hints at Weird Western elements remaining in the script.
“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.”
Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski is reunited with Johnny Depp as Tonto and “Pirate” writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Armie Hammer who plays The Lone Ranger is joined by William Fichtner (replacing Dwight Yoakam), Tom Wilkinson, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter. Location and interior filming takes place in New Mexico followed by location shooting Arizona, Utah and Colorado. A release date is scheduled for May 31, 2013.
