Original Cast Members Locked In For Lone Ranger, Other Actors Also Wanted

Deadline reports that Disney has locked in Armie Hammer (Social Network), Johnny Depp (as Tonto) and Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre, Prisoner, Luther) for the leads in Gore Verbinski's (Pirates 1-3) Lone Ranger. It had been unknown even with Disney agreeing to a lowered budget that the cast would still be able to commit to the movie. The studio is interested in casting Tom Wilkinson as the film's villain. Helena Bonham Carter, James Badge Dale (Departed, The Pacific) and Dwight Yoakum (Crank 1-2) are also wanted for roles.

I'm all for more Disney films from Gore Verbinski but the western genre hasn't been in the best shape lately. Here's hoping that Gore can do for the western he did for the pirate genre. That being said I'm curious to see how much damage Mirror Mirror is going to do to Armie's creditability as a lead actor. As the goofy family film could make audiences cringe when trying to picture him as the masked avenging cowboy.

Lone Ranger Still Happening, Ruth Wilson Joins

It looks Disney isn't done with Gore Verbinski's (Pirates 1-3) The Lone Ranger just yet. It was reported Disney was unhappy with the projected budget of the film which was expected to cost $250 million. Deadline reports that the studio is still trying to work out a deal to get the film made with a lower budget of around $200 million. The western has Armie Hammer (Social Network, J. Edgar) and Johnny Depp in the leads. Another bit of news is that Ruth Wilson (Luther, The Prisoner) had landed the female lead in the film. It's expected the cast will all return for the production but the December 21st 2012 release date is now in question.

Armie Hammer In Talks To Join Johnny Depp In Lone Ranger

Deadline reports that Armie Hammer (Social Network) is in early talks to join Gore Verbinski's (Pirates 1-3) The Lone Ranger alongside Johnny Depp.

Ryan Gosling Could Join Johnny Depp As The Lone Ranger

Deadline reports that Ryan Gosling along with others are being courted for the role of the Lone Ranger. It had been mentioned that George Clooney and Timothy Olyphant were being looked at. Gosling recently attached himself to Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson) Logan's Run remake and it also involved with talks for Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) Gangster Squad. Johnny Depp is locked in the role of Tonto which the film will be told from his character's perspective.

I'm not sure how likely it is that Disney would be able to wrangle Ryan as he's been avoiding franchise projects like this one. He however didn't rule out The Flash and Wonder Woman.

RUMOR: Timothy Olyphant The Lone Ranger & Olivia Wilde Lara Croft?

Some casting rumors have surfaced online and they seem very odd for some reason. First Timothy Olyphant is apparently a candidate for the role of The Lone Ranger for Disney. Olyphant recently worked with both director Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp (Tonto) on Rango. The film would be told from perspective of Tonto and the Ranger himself would likely be a smaller role. Previously George Clooney had been rumored for the role but it's likely Clooney is too busy with other projects. While I believe Timothy's work on shows like Deadwood and Justified make him an excellent candidate. He hasn't had much success in the world of film with efforts like Hitman, The Crazies and Gone In 60 Seconds hindering his abilities. As it's a western I think I can hold off any judgment.

Also, Olivia Wilde is on the producers' wishlist for the new incarnation of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider reboot. It seems like a massive step-up from the previous talk of Megan Fox who has strangely fallen into obscurity as of late. Wilde seems like an excellent choice but without a solid source backing up this rumor it's unlikely to happen. Olivia has started to become known for her roles in genre based film with Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens, Now and rumored involvement with Superman. I have zero interest in a Lara Croft film and unless they bring in a big name director with a stellar cast I don't think anyone else will.

Gore Verbinski Confirmed To Direct The Lone Ranger

While the Pirates of The Caribbean director had been in talks with Disney to start a new potential franchise with Johnny Depp in a supporting role as Tonto. Deadline has finally confirmed Gore Verbinski has signed on to direct The Lone Ranger. I would have to assume they've already found their Lone Ranger but have yet to announce it. There had been talk of George Clooney taking on the role but I believe he might be just slightly too old. Here's hoping for someone slightly younger like Jon Hamm. I wouldn't even be surprised to see Brad Pitt take the role since his love for westerns and previously working with Gore on The Mexican.

Gore Verbinski To Direct Depp In Lone Ranger?

Deadline reports director Gore Verbinski is in talks with Disney to helm their epic take on the Lone Ranger. The only actor who is attached to the project is Johnny Depp who will portray Tonto. Yet there have been rumors of George Clooney playing the lead. It would be the fifth film Gore and Depp have worked together on. Previously they worked on the Pirates of The Caribbean trilogy and more recently with the animated film Rango. Hopefully Verbinski can do for westerns what he did for pirate films. Considering recent blockbuster type westerns like Wild Wild West and Jonah Hex haven't fared well with quality. Of course the genre mixing Cowboys & Aliens looks to break that streak. It's been a while since we've seen straight-up "fun" westerns like The Quick & The Dead,  Maverick and Young Guns.

Verbinski Still Hopeful For Bioshock Film, Going To Be Hard-R

Gore Verbinski (Pirates 1-3) who was once attached to direct Bioshock based on the populr video game talked to IGN about the current status of the project which he is producing. The interesting part is that they're aiming for a Hard-R rating.

"We're working trying to make it. The problem with "Bioshock" was: R-rated movie, underwater, horror. It's a really expensive R-rated movie. So we're trying to figure out a way working with Juan Carlos (28 Weeks Lter) to get the budget down and still keep it so it's true to the core audience, you know? The thing is it has to be R, a hard R."

Source: http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/110/1102680p1.html