Disney have pulled the plug on The Lone Ranger movie they've been developing for years - despite having an A-list director and huge star and producer attached.
Johnny Depp and (Social Network star) Armie Hammer were cast as Tonto and The Lone Ranger, while Jerry Bruckheimer was reteaming with the director of the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films, Gore Verbinski for the production. Some industry observers are blaming the so so box-office of Cowboys and Aliens for the Mouse House pulling the plug. Verbinski is not a director who makes them cheap, and he apparently had the budget set at a crazy $250 million, while Disney were only willing to put up $200 million - surely a record for a western. When I spoke to Jon Favreau last week before the news came out, he mentioned that studios won't spend blockbuster money on a western as they're too risky - hence Cowboys and Aliens' sci-fi element. But it's still strange that a 'go' Johnny Depp movie that was months away from filming has had the rug pulled from under it.
Depp has The Rum Diaries and Dark Shadows awaiting release.
