Johnny Depp, who managed to immortalize a character created from a theme park ride (Captain Jack Sparrow), is now set to take on a far more iconic role in a Disney film adaptation of the Lone Ranger legend.
Depp will be playing Tonto, the Lone Ranger's sidekick. Except, in this version, the Lone Ranger will be the sidekick. Depp says the aim is give the film a far different bent than what was depicted in such things as the 1950s "Lone Ranger" TV show.
"I remember watching (the show) as a kid and going: 'Why is the (expletive) Lone Ranger telling Tonto what to do?'" Depp tells Entertainment Weekly. "I knew Tonto was getting the unpleasant end of the stick here. When the idea came up (for a movie), I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way try to reinvent the relationship, to attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans -- not only in 'The Lone Ranger,' but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema -- and turn it on its head."
Armie Hammer, whose star has been rising in Hollywood since his portrayal of both Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network," has been cast as the Lone Ranger.
Jerry Bruckheimer is producing the film, and Gore Verbinski (who helmed the first three "Pirates of the Caribbean" films) will direct.
