Production of The Lone Ranger Kicks Off

MARCH 1, 2012 - Disney has announced that production of The Lone Ranger has begun on location in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

The film reunites the guys behind the first three Pirates of the Caribbean blockbusters — producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp who will be playing spirit warrior Tonto.  The title character is filled by Armie Hammer (pictured left, of The Social Network and J. Edgar), plus the likes of Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Frain, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter. The film is slated to open on May 31, 2013.

The Lone Ranger is touted by Disney as "a thrilling adventure infused with action and humour, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American warrior Tonto (Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice — taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight greed and corruption.

It is written by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio of Pirates of the Caribbean, Eric Aronson and Justin Haythe.