When news broke that director Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp were planning to re-team to turn the classic 1950’s TV series The Lone Ranger into a big screen movie – it seemed like an odd flick to imagine – especially with translating the concept for modern audiences. Depp championed the project and was keen on taking on the role of Tonto, but wanted to reinvent the native Indian role to more than just a sidekick. Aside from their original Pirates collaboration, Verbinski and Depp worked together on the offbeat animated western flick Rango, which grossed around $245 million at the global box office. However turning The Lone Ranger into a big screen adventure was no easy feat – and despite Disney wrangling the budget down from $250 million to $215 million, the film still went over budget and over schedule during production.
That said, looking at the trailer it seems as if things have paid off. We’re offered what seems to be an interesting spin on these timeless characters, and the tone looks surprisingly fun. Lawman John Reid (Armie Hammer) gets a more proper introduction and we’re given some insight as to why he puts on a bandit mask to fight for justice in the Wild West, not forgetting his trusty horse Silver, who seems very odd. It’s refreshing to see an iteration of The Lone Ranger where the characters feel like true equals, but from the looks of the trailer, things could become a bit overshadowed by Depp’s peculiar American Indian spirit warrior, Tonto.
The film stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson, and Helena Bonham Carter.
Catch the trailer here:
The Lone Ranger opens July 3, 2013.
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