Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer's big-screen adaptation of The Lone Ranger has been given a December 21, 2012, release.

The high-profile project stars Armie Hammer - who portrayed the Winklevoss twins in the Oscar-winning The Social Network - in the title role, with Johnny Depp attached as Tonto.

Gore Verbinski will direct a script by Justin Haythe; Bruckheimer will produce.

Production is set to begin later this year on the film, which takes place in 1869 and centers on the masked Texas Ranger who, with the help of Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West.