Walt Disney shuts down Lone Ranger
The major reason the production stopped was the movie's ballooning budget, which some reports have clocking in at $250 million. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer managed to get the budget down to $232 million, but Disney wanted it at $200 million even, and wouldn't go above that number.
Another reason the shoot, which was to take place later this fall, has been put on indefinite hold is because of Walt Disney's ballooning live action slate, which includes the potentially risky John Carter and Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful.
Even though Lone Ranger was in pre-production, meaning money has been spent on the project, and that Johnny Depp will get paid his full salary whether or not the film gets made, it was the easiest film to pull back on.
This is the second Western after The Dark Tower to suddenly stop production. Some speculate that Cowboys & Aliens' poor reception at the box office may have been the nail in Lone Ranger's coffin.
Lone Ranger could move to another studio, or it may still get made by Walt Disney, but a long time into the future.
The Lone Ranger comes to theaters July 3rd, 2013 and stars Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Ruth Wilson, Helena Bonham Carter, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Tom Wilkinson, James Frain. The film is directed by Gore Verbinski.
Comments (153)
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slysnide
Dang. That's a good deal for Depp.
9 months agoby @slysnideFlag
Cyn
HOW could this possibly cost a quarter of a BILLION dollars??? And they've made that crap looking John Carter with NOBODIES in it, but this gets the arse??
9 months agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
K1773r
ok first off, why is the story line going to be based on Tonto, oh yeah cause is mister Johnny Depp , no offense but the movie is call the Lone Ranger, not Tonto. I understand they want to focus on Tonto teaching the Ranger the basics or having him become a equal but come on skinwalkers on this movie, come to think of it sounds cool and all but they got to keep it a little bit grounded I don´t know.
What would be next space invaders ?
9 months agoby @k1773rFlag
Sean
@moviegeek
I noticed that as well about the hilarity.
10 months agoby @themoviefanaticFlag
moviegeek
If anyone has 10 minutes to spare, start at the very first comment and work your way to the end. You won't regret it. hilarity.
10 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
Jimthar
dude, it's a f*cking western! what about this costs 250 million??? get the script, get the actors, hire a crew, rent some horses and build the sets. the rest is shot out in the desert somewhere. what the f*ck? a high school drama club could build the sets for this for under 20,000 dollars, for christ's sake. all they need is some dilapidated 'buildings' and some false facades. what exactly is the problem here? if the CGI (ugh f*cking werewolves) is costing 100 million then i think they need to go with a different company.
10 months agoby @jimtharFlag
moviegeek
Thank you!! This had flop written all over it. I guess they learned from Cowboys and Aliens :P
10 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
renodc
I was looking forward to what Verbinski had in store for the Lone Ranger, but this is ridiculous that they can't figure out a way to get this done for $200 million. I'd love to see the budget breakdown just to see where all the money is going.
10 months agoby @renodcFlag
Sean
@justhim-sir
I think you might be right, but i didn't hear before that, Disney laid off some of their workers.
10 months agoby @themoviefanaticFlag
Justhim_sir
$200 mil, man that's crazy! I wouldn't judge what cowboys and aliens made, johnny made disney a billion dollars off of pirate films so that shouldn't factor. I think it's budget cuts since disney laid off some of their workers.
10 months agoby @justhim-sirFlag
Salem6777
saw this coming
10 months agoby @Salem6777Flag
Ch-ch-ch-chia
Depp still gets paid even if the movie doesn't get made. How f'ing sweet is that? The rich get richer without having to do anything.
10 months agoby @daftshadowFlag
Monkeyiron 2.0
@zanyzap hollywood needs more Spaghetti westerns
10 months agoby @monkeyiron2-0Flag
CelluloidDreams
Too funny for words!! ...Not as bad as what happend to Klinton Spilsbury's career "AFTER" he portrayed the Lonne Ranger back in 1981!..!
10 months agoby @2movieguysFlag
ZanyZap
And I have been suckered into the immaturity! I have yet to comment on the actual article. All I have to say is: BOO! Hollywood needs more westerns!
10 months agoby @zanyzapFlag
ZanyZap
@monkeyiron2-0: ...
10 months agoby @zanyzapFlag
Major Tom
Man, I read all the comments just because I had free time. Man, I was entertained just reading! I'm not even one of the popular ones on MW and I would've had fun!
On topic, this is really disappointing. But 200 million?!?
10 months agoby @movie-nutFlag
Cripple
F*CK
10 months agoby @crippleFlag
SpaceCowboy
Fail.
10 months agoby @SpaceCowboyFlag
Monkeyiron 2.0
@zanyzap i said I never did such a thing and i dnt speak lion so HA
10 months agoby @monkeyiron2-0Flag
darksektor1971
i dont understand why...200 million bucks isn't enough?...i mean...it's ok that the creators want to blow us away with the movie...but...i think that with that amount of money they can pull off a really decent bockbuster...isn't???
10 months agoby @darksektor1971Flag
T.Clark
@dan1 I know! I'm mad!!!
10 months agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
ZanyZap
@dan1: The Outlaw of Josey Wales... Clint Eastwood night at my house last night. Didn't you get the invite?
@monkeyiron2-0: I'm sorry. I don't speak monkey.
10 months agoby @zanyzapFlag
ADDICTION NON-FATAL
Good Decision! Goose! Goose!
10 months agoby @addiction-non-fatalFlag
Sean
@brady1138
Good point there, but the budget has to be just right, for them to make this movie apparently.
10 months agoby @themoviefanaticFlag
MovieManiac
BOOOOO!!!!!!. I was looking forward to this film.
10 months agoby @moviemaniac66Flag
Brandon Scott Todd
Film budgets and production costs are becoming terribly expensive. Some films are costing studios around a QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS. That is scary if you ask me. Studios are dominating the film industry, and art is being triumphed by commercialism. It is very disappointing to see it happening so quickly. Soon there will be BILLION DOLLAR FILMS BUDGETS, 25 DOLLAR MOVIE TICKETS, and moviegoers probably won't even bat an eye. It's actually pretty hilarious to see how CORPORATISM is playing such a part in the film industry and ruining the artistic merit of filmmaking, and how supposed die hard movie fans are allowing it to happen.
10 months agoby @brandon-scott-toddFlag
Monkeyiron 2.0
@zanyzap no i wasnt name 1 part I was doing such a thing......this kung-fu treachery
10 months agoby @monkeyiron2-0Flag
Monkeyiron 2.0
@moviewiz001 UR WELCOME 4 THE ENTERTAINMENT TUNE IN NEXT WEEK 4 MONKEYITON VS. THE WORLD
10 months agoby @monkeyiron2-0Flag
Dan
@insertusernamehere @zanyzap @shuabert @moviewiz001 Where were you guys last night? That sh*t was hilarious :P
10 months agoby @dan1Flag