Gore Verbinski to Ride Along With Johnny Depp on The Lone Ranger

Director Gore Verbinski helped make Johnny Depp into the megastar he is today by directing him in the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films (along with Depp‘s voice in the title role of Verbinski‘s upcoming animated film Rango), so even though Verbinski didn’t join Depp on the fourth Pirates film, that doesn’t mean the two wouldn’t work together again. After all, Depp‘s been loyal to director buddy Tim Burton for two decades, so why not Verbinski, too?

In fact, rumors of Depp taking the role of Tonto, the Ranger’s Native American sidekick, in a new film version of The Lone Ranger have swirled around ever since the third Pirates film hit theaters, with famed producer Jerry Bruckheimer producing alongside Depp. Well, it turns out that this project has just had a director sign on… who is none other than Verbinski! Hit more for all the details.

The Lone Ranger has a long history on the screen — though he debuted on radio in 1933, the Western vigilante made his first appearance in a 1938 serial. This was followed by a second serial in 1939 and a television series that ran from 1949-1957. Other projects followed, and the character has remained popular in a variety of media since. Disney and Bruckheimer got their collective hands on the property in 2007 and almost immediately announced Depp‘s casting as Tonto — there has been little news since though, as Depp has been one of Hollywood’s busiest actors over the last decade.

Now with Verbinski in place as director, it’s likely that this film will go into production after Depp finishes Dark Shadows with Tim Burton (See? Told you he was loyal!). Of course, it might get pushed back even further considering that the main character has yet to be cast. The script for the film was written by Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) who hasn’t really written anything of this nature before, so it’ll be interesting to see how his style meshes with Bruckheimer and Verbinski‘s. The Lone Ranger is penciled in for a 2012 release.

Let us know what you think about this below, readers! Do we have a winning combination on our hands, or will we see another Jonah Hex?

FUN FACT: The Lone Ranger, who is John Reid in his civilian identity, is the grand uncle to Birtt Reid, alias of the Green Hornet, who has his own film coming out in January! Now you can impress your friends at your next cocktail party.