The Lone Ranger

[bainbridge's_stache]

Another look at Johnny Depp as Tonto

Image that inspired the look

[Show spoiler]

[Tony208]

Lone Ranger goes over budget once again...

This movie is destined to fail with a budget like that, no Western does huge box office business

Only 7 westerns have crossed 100m domestic and none over 200m

http://www.fandango.com/movieblog/lo...ay-716940.html

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

Yeah, cause that movie did so well.

In all fairness, the movie wasn't bad. Poorly marketed, however.

That said, I would kill to see the same exact cast in a straight Western.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

IThat said, I would kill to see the same exact cast in a straight Western.

...I have special reason for wanting so, too:

In the last few weeks, I've found myself picked out more and more for online focus groups trying to gauge "early audience interest" in at least two '13 summer blockbusters so far--Based on four to five-page studio pitch synopses of the script/storylines in excruciating (and I do often mean excruciating) detail of every single scene from the first two thirds of the movie that studios think audiences will react to.
(Not so bad, you say? Well, let's define our terms:

[Show spoiler]Let's say you were in a focus group last year for "Dark Shadows", and you got a description saying "Johnny Depp plays the iconic vampire in a revival of the classic 70's show", you might be interested. Now, how about if you got a description saying, "The Collins family is in the living room watching TV. Because it is 1972, Karen Carpenter is singing 'Top of the World' on a variety show. Barnabas, having never seen a TV before, commands the 'little performer' to come out, and smashes the set to free her, as the family looks on oddly"...NOW how interested would you be?

)

I don't have to go to the movies next summer, I've already virtually SAT through both Lone Ranger and M. Night Shyamalan's next big-budget blockbuster...And like Hamlet's dad said, but that I am forbidden to tell the secrets of my prison-house (via confidentiality agreements of possible legal bindings), could I tell a tale that would freeze thy blood and harrow up thy soul. Besides, I'm not one to run off and sell the Everlasting Gobstopper to Slugworth, even if I believed the warning was in the public good...Someone ELSE will just have to run off and spring the bad news to Harry Knowles.

All I will say is to confirm or deny the two suspicions everyone else here has already made, and wash my hands of the blame:
- Q: Will Johnny Depp "just end up playing Tonto as Jack Sparrow through the whole thing", unquote?
- A:

[Show spoiler]Yes: That is rather Verbinski's intention, going in--Tonto will be the main character of the movie, while the Masked Man will be reduced to the analogous Will Turner character: Stalwart, heroic, and saddled with the dramatic and romantic subplot, but just can't keep up with our lovable rogue's creative ways out of a situation...

Oh, and
- Q: Will Depp have that stupid bird on his head for the whole movie?
- A:

[Show spoiler]Yes. It's his "totem", as he believes the villain is the incarnation of an evil spirit he must hunt.

Oh, and the first time, early on in the movie, the Ranger and Tonto ride off to the William Tell Overture?...

[Show spoiler]It's played for a "clever" self-aware gag. I could tell you what the gag was, but even then, you still wouldn't want to know.

Suffice to say, if you're looking forward to this movie because of the "action" Gore Verbinski from the first two Pirates?...Try more realistically expecting the rampantly self-indulgent weirdo-mysticist Verbinski from Pirates 3, with the preciously self-amusing and smirky-quirky "oddball for oddball's sake" Verbinski from Rango.

[Show spoiler](Right down to the identical same weirdo-western town.)

That one pretty well finished him off for me for good.
And just be glad I didn't subject you to the Shyamalan movie....Ohhh, lordy.

[NARMAK]

Thanks for that information, was very insightful. I haven't got much faith in this movie being all that good but it should certainly be worth watching and owning. Again, i'm an exception to most people cause i don't pay the same amount of money as they do because they have to pay per performance most times whereas i'm on like an unlimited movies viewing contract for a set price per month. You just have to go enough times ro justify the monthly fee cause there is some real crap on during the quiet months.

[cinemaphile]

Rango was the best animated film of last year. I loved it. Hell, it was just a great western, period.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

Rango was the best animated film of last year. I loved it. Hell, it was just a great western, period.

I, however, found flaws with Gore's idea of "Depp's going to be in it, so he'll probably be quirky and oddball...Let's make the whole movie quirky and oddball, so he'll feel at home!" As we know from years of Tim Burton, making a Depp movie MORE "quirky" is like putting fudge sauce on a Twinkie and deep-frying it:
We had Depp's lizard as a lovably self-delusional loser, we had an entire town where everybody was just such a lovable total-psychotic, and like they say on MST3K, "Now, the reason this's so exciting is because we care about the characters... "
I can only hint at why I am adding this comment to a Verbinski's Lone Ranger thread. Be warned, be very warned.

(And all the talk of "Budget vs. summer?" bringing comparisons to Disney and John Carter, remember the key difference between a "Flop" and a "Box-office disappointment": Carter was a good movie that caught every bad break for timing, release and marketing, and that only makes it a "Disappointment". A "Flop", OTOH, has the private limo and the keys to the studio coffers, and makes its own bad decisions all the way down the cliff.
And if I'm joining the doomsaying of the "Flop" predictors for Lone, it's because this thing's making bad decisions by the bushel-basket.)

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Toadbully

I know for a fact that Eric J is lying. Some good guesses, but overall incorrect information. The film is still shooting.
Just wait until you see for yourself.

Well, I believe I mentioned I was subjected to a script treatment synopsis (although they took care to mention which characters Tom Wilkinson and Helena Bonham Carter would be playing), and having been through the experience with two other '13 movies, I have a vague idea of WHY they were asking focus groups about it while still shooting.

Or re-shooting, as the case may be. I can only say I hope it is the latter.
If indeed I am incorrect, please, at the risk of spoilers, tell me, if there is grace in heaven, that the Lone Ranger and Tonto do not

[Show spoiler]ride off on circus animals

the first time we hear the William Tell Overture.
I certainly HOPE someone was only messing with our heads by telling us that.

[Toadbully]

Sorry. Didn't notice you said script treatment.

This film is still shooting. Not re-shooting. And its funny you mention that about the circus animals. I wish I could tell you what happened with that, but I'll have to wait until after the movie comes out to share stories.

I've been on the movie since February.

[bainbridge's_stache]

Teaser trailer (as seen on Leno)

The Lone Ranger - Teaser Trailer - YouTube

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/the-l...easer-trailer/

[Ill_Be_Back]

Originally Posted by bainbridge's_stache

Teaser trailer (as seen on Leno)
http://www.beyondhollywood.com/the-l...easer-trailer/

Looks...interesting...

[RocShemp]

Looks not bad at all. Although I hope Johnny Depp's top billing is just contractual in nature. I don't want to see Tonto: The Movie.

[HD Canuck]

If the trailer link above is not working, Mania.com has it on their site here:
http://www.mania.com/lone-ranger-tra...le_134304.html

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

Looks not bad at all. Although I hope Johnny Depp's top billing is just contractual in nature. I don't want to see Tonto: The Movie.

I do. Depp is about 100 times more interesting to watch as a leading man than Hammer,

Verbinski sure knows how to put those massive budgets on screen and not skimp on spectacle and action. He really knows how to impress an audience.

[SirMontyPython]

Originally Posted by HD Canuck

If the trailer link above is not working, Mania.com has it on their site here:
http://www.mania.com/lone-ranger-tra...le_134304.html

I just hope this teaser trailer is ALL the good scenes....I do like Rango and underestimated how good Gore Verbinski can be (I LOVE The Mexican!!), and I hope I can actually enjoy this movie by being entertained!

[toddly6666]

Lone Ranger Trailer | Official Disney Trailer | HD - YouTube

Looks pretty good actually. I think Bruckheimer/Verbinski can just adapt just about anything and make a movie seem exciting.

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

I do. Depp is about 100 times more interesting to watch as a leading man than Hammer

Then they should have cast Depp as the Lone Ranger instead.

[SirMontyPython]

......and who'd play Tonto, Adam Beach? That'd certainly change the entire outlook of the movie...

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

Looks not bad at all. Although I hope Johnny Depp's top billing is just contractual in nature. I don't want to see Tonto: The Movie.

When they even has Depp's crow as the logo of the movie, what's YOUR guess?

The trailer does a nice job of keeping the duo out and trying to promote "Hell on Wheels: the Movie", but there's a reason we don't hear any of the characters talk yet.
Verbinski and the Pirates writers are still trying to turn the Masked Man and Tonto into Jack Sparrow and Will Turner, Bruckheimer all but admitted stealing the train chase/wreck from "Shanghai Noon", and Verbinski's seeing how much of Rango he can film in live-action.
Those who LIKED Rango will find this the sort of thing they liked (I didn't), those who were hoping for the ponderous reverence of the '81 movie done on a better script and budget...will have to keep waiting.

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by EricJ

When they even has Depp's crow as the logo of the movie, what's YOUR guess?

I noticed that (and I like Rango) but there are plenty of movies (Batman & Robin and, most recently, The Avengers) where one actor gets above the credits billing given that he is the "star" but doesn't turn out to be the lead. I'm hoping they're using the crow and Depp's name to sell the movie. But the Lone Ranger should be a film of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. If it's Jack Sparrow Goes West, I'm not interested. Which is a shame cos I have nothing against Depp as Tonto.