Disney Dumps Depps' Lone Ranger Flick

[Wee67]

Word is the crew was that was scheduled to tear down the sets this week has been halted. I would assume that means there hasn't been a definitive decision to scrap the movie and its production might be re-started.

[thunderbolt]

wasn't there something in the Dynamite Comic series with werewolves? Marvel touched on it with its western event, too.

[The Toyroom]

I always thought the Lone Ranger vs. werewolves would be an interesting concept for a comic book one-shot...Not for a feature length movie

[Zemo]

Kinda 'splains why the Ranger used silver bullets.

Good one.

[thunderbolt]

Hmmmm....

So it's basically "Werewolf: the RPG" the movie? Weird.

Don C.

Kinda 'splains why the Ranger used silver bullets.

[johnmiic]

Moviephone also claims this project has been scrapped. They're not trimming the budget-it's dead-and probably mercifully so. Also mentions werewolves and Tonto/Depp was to be the focus.

I don't mind a little Native American folklore and mysticism in the mix but to make the Lone Ranger a sappy Twilight-like non-horror/non-western is totally wrong. After seeing The Green Hornet do a toilet dive because it shunned it's source material how could they even have considered this a good idea? You can't sell the audience on this approach in the first film. If you do a series of films maybe you could do this werewolf approach 3rd or 4th film down the line.


With 'The Lone Ranger' Shot Down, What Do You Want to See in a Western? - The Moviefone Blog

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

So it's basically "Werewolf: the RPG" the movie? Weird.

Don C.

[MIB41]

You know...after further consideration...Depp does kinda look like a Native American in some instances...so the part about him having a little bit of "injun"...might be in fact, true...

http://harmonia.meccahosting.com/~a0002223/depp_postmodern.jpg

http://photos.thefirstpost.co.uk/assets/library/G101125tonto--129067865936661300.jpg

Ok...I give him permission to be Tonto...

Excellent photo comparison Hector. Most people don't catch that. This illustrates just how close to the source material he can be. But from talking to long time Ranger fans, I think too much is being made of the treatment. Understandably no one wants a Green Hornet-style embarrassment. But then again no one ever thought a pirates film with Depp would take off either. And that franchise has done more for pirates than Disney ever could have fathomed. I think having comic undertones sells some concepts better than others. But it doesn't mean you have to disrespect the material, like Hornet did. I think there is still plenty of room for the drama and action that would drive a concept like the Lone Ranger, but slant it slightly to pull in a broader audience like Pirates did. I think this film could put Ranger on the map like no project ever has. That includes Clayton Moore's TV depiction. Oh and why would it cost so much to make a Ranger film? Because it would have werewolves in it... See story below.

Dances With Werewolves :: Hollywood Elsewhere

[johnmiic]

Disney Dumps Depp's... try saying that fast 5x's in a row!

[Hector]

I can see how gun shy the studios would be about westerns given Jonah hex and cowboys and aliens underperforming

Jonah Hex was a terrible movie.

I did like Cowboys and Aliens though.

[samurainoir]

I can see how gun shy the studios would be about westerns given Jonah hex and cowboys and aliens underperforming

[Nostalgiabuff]

well since the Lone Ranger is the green hornets grandfather, maybe they should go the comedic route.....not!!
they need to give some respect if they want to make a franchise out of it. LR has been too long out of the public conscious.....they need to find a way to make him relevant and hip while still staying true to his character....Johnny Depp is actually a great way to do this.....and like I said before, he is a good actor and I have liked him in just about every movie I ever saw him in

[Earth 2 Chris]

I like Depp, but I love the Lone Ranger. I'm not sold on him in the role, because I'm afraid we will get an irreverent Tonto and Lone Ranger, ala The Green Hornet with Rogen. Okay, not that irreverent, but definitely not straight. I could be wrong, and I hope I am.

The 80s Legend of the Lone Ranger proves how vital it is to cast the right person for these roles. Every other aspect of the movie is well done. The score, the ballads and narration by Merle Haggard, the cinematography, you name it, all well done, except Clinton Spillsbury is as wooden as a stagecoach. And they even had to dub his voice with another actor! A total cluster, which is such a shame because it is such a sincere effort other wise.

Chris

[Hector]

You know...after further consideration...Depp does kinda look like a Native American in some instances...so the part about him having a little bit of "injun"...might be in fact, true...





Ok...I give him permission to be Tonto...

[Hector]

Nothing against Depp though...he sure is purdy...