By Imagine that! Another film with Depp and Helena Bonham Carter! We already know that Armie Hammer (The Social Network) will be the Lone Ranger, that Johnny Depp will surprisingly play Tonto, and that Gore Verbinski is directing with a 2012 December release date set in his sights. I’m still not confident this film won’t be a financial (and personal) flop, but I have to admit that having the legendary writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio being involved with the Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) script gives me hope, and also that the supporting cast is looking optimistically strong if casting talks go smoothly.
Dwight Yoakam (Sling Blade, Crank) is in talks to play the film’s lead villain, Butch Cavendish, and Barry Pepper (The Kennedys, Saving Private Ryan, True Grit) would take up the role of Captain J. Fuller, the leader of a cavalry unit. Also exciting is that James Badge Dale (The Pacific, Rubicon, The Black Donnellys) is being considered for the Lone Ranger’s older brother who is the leader of the Texas Rangers. As for Helena Bonham Carter, she’s rumored to be a random brothel woman, but given her immense fame and knowing how Rossio and Elliott write, she’ll likely be swept up into the main story somehow.
[Via Variety]