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Mike Newell Eyeing Up The Lone Ranger

Source:  Production Weekly
It seems that a new Disney/Johnny Depp film may have found its director. According to Production Weekly, director Mike Newell is in talks to take the the helm of The Lone Ranger.

Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio wrote the script, with Johnny Depp already slated to star as the title character. We'll be sure to keep you posted on any other developments surrounding this film, but in the meantime, take a look at the synopsis below.

The Lone Ranger's origin story begins with a group of Texas Rangers chasing down a gang of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish. The gang ambushes the Rangers, seemingly killing them all. One survivor is found, however, by an American Indian named Tonto, who nurses him back to health. The Ranger, donning a mask and riding a white stallion named Silver, teams up with Tonto to bring the unscrupulous gang and others of that ilk to justice.

The Lone Ranger owned by Classic Media, began life as a 1930s radio show. Its popularity led to movie serials, TV shows, comic strips and comic books, toys, novels and more.

Actor Clayton Moore became the Lone Ranger in 1949, starring in films and a long lived TV series in the 1950s - He continued to wear the mask in many personal appearances until his passing in 1999.


8 Comments


May 4th, 2009 3:27am
a superhero with a western touch; something that hasn't been done before.

Keep it in the style of the modern western and we'll be alright!
  (Delete)
April 30th, 2009 8:27pm
AWAY!
  (Delete)
April 30th, 2009 8:04pm
Hi Ho SILVER! :P
  (Delete)
April 30th, 2009 6:36pm
Lol vis. The Batman Begins of the west. I agree. MY dad liked this, but I never really cared for it no offense. I personally liked Bananza.

But I do however, think this movie is near down the drain already since Disney making it.
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April 30th, 2009 4:52pm
Depp is playing Tonto, not the Lone Ranger, which I'm on the fence about. I was pissed because I hate that Depp is Hollywood's go-to guy when they want to make a quick buck. I'm glad they're thinking about good actors, though, I just get tired of hearing about Depp. Tonto is reserved and quiet, Depp makes a living dressing up in Tim Burton films. I'll wait til I hear him say "yes, kemosabe" before I'm content with him playing Tonto...not the Ranger, which MW needs to fix

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was tolerable, I'll see how Prince of Persia is before I'm jumping with joy. The downside is that it's Disney, which will restrict the movie from being too down and gritty

I've been waiting for this movie for a while...well, maybe not this particular movie because it could be horse shit(or hopefully good), but a Lone Ranger movie, because my dad grew up with it, meaning so have I seeing as how he's a collector. If the fuck it up, I demand a reboot before he, to put it bluntly, kicks the bucket.

As for the Lone Ranger himself, casting depends on the story path, whether it's an older or younger version. They should DEFINITELY follow the new Dynamite comic series, which is a more serious look at the Lone Ranger and Tonto. No more Tonto getting his ass kicked and Lone Ranger conveniently throwing a chair over some guy's head like the old days...they're bad ass in that comic. I hope Elliot and Rossio were able to make a good origin story so I can call it "the Batman Begins of the West" if it's worthy enough.

If young take on the character, I suggest James McAvoy or Chris Pine, depending on if he is good in Star Trek. He looks the part. If old take, then Hugh Jackman or, bare with me, Tom Cruise. We never see the Ranger without his mask off, save for when he's first found by Tonto, so it all depends on if they're good actors and how they look in the mask and hat.

Oh, and if Silver ends up getting CGIed, I will shoot myself
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April 30th, 2009 4:34pm
Very cool. I am interested in how this turns out. A very iconic and classic character.
  (Delete)
April 30th, 2009 4:34pm
I thought Depp was going to be Tonto. Ehh still works for me.
  (Delete)
April 30th, 2009 4:08pm
Nice
  (Delete)

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