In a surprising move, Disney have halted production on THE LONE RANGER, like he himself would halt his horse which is called Silver when he wants to stop riding the horse… That last bit probably needs editing.
According to DEADLINE.COM the decision to pull the plug (to HELL with horse metaphors) was made when the budget started getting close to $250 million, which is hefty, even by studio blockbuster standards. This is despite having Johnny Depp (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS) signed up as the titular hero and Gore Verbinski set to direct. This had franchise written all over it. Based on the legendary TV show, it would have been episodic by nature and be guaranteed sequels every couple of years. And with Verbinski having directed Depp four times previously, this seemed like a no brainer.
Never the less, it seems in these uncertain times, nothing is a lock. But as The Deppster gets paid regardless of whether the film is made at all, the studio will no doubt want to cash in on their investment. Though we doubt it would make its release date of next year, and going up against THE HOBBIT, THE AVENGERS and some small time indie flick called THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, maybe THE LONE RANGER would be wise to hold fire for a while. Because he has guns. Which fire. Bullets.
