The Lone Ranger is a Go! The First Picture is released by Disney

[Wendy]

Disney released the very first picture from The Lone Ranger movie, and it's the one you can see with Johnny Depp playing Tonto.

lone-ranger.jpg

The Disney press release said “The Lone Ranger is a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie 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 against greed and corruption".

Johnny said in an interview to entertainment weekly: “I remember watching it as a kid, with Jay Silverheels and Clayton Moore, and going: ‘Why is the f—ing Lone Ranger telling Tonto what to do?’” Depp told EW last year, recalling the 1949-1957 TV show, which was seen for many more decades in reruns. “I liked Tonto, even at that tender age, and knew Tonto was getting the unpleasant end of the stick here. That’s stuck with me.”When the idea came up to do a new movie, Depp saw a way to right what he considered a pop culture wrong. “I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way to… ” he hesitated. “Eliminate’ isn’t possible — but reinvent the relationship, to attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans, not only in The Lone Ranger, but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema, and turn it on its head.”

The movie is scheduled to be released on the 31st May 2013.

I've got mixed views on this one, I loved the Lone Ranger as a kid and I really hope Disney doesn't change it too much.

[foreverducky]

This should be interesting. I think I'll hold off until a trailer comes out to decide if I want to see it or not. I didn't grow up watching Lone Ranger.

[catrancher]

I grew up watching it as a kid. That and a whole batch of other westerns of the time (Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Sky King). I'm not really sure how this is gonna play but one thing I am sure of. If anyone can pull this off and make it work, Johnny Depp can.

On that basis alone, I think I may want to see it.

Tom (... time will tell.)

[uscwest]

I'm with Tom on this one. I was into the cowboy shows and Sky King as a kid too. The Lone Ranger was always one of my favorites. Oh and Tom, don't forget Hopalong Cassidy.

[catrancher]

Oh and Tom, don't forget Hopalong Cassidy.

Oh yeah! Hopalong. Almost forgot. Thanks Kimosabe (John)!

Tom (... of all the things I ever lost, I miss my mind the most!)

[Wendy]

Was there one called Alias Smith and Jones my dad used to watch westerns all the time and all this talk has got me thinking about him and what he used to like. There was another one about a ranch but that completely escapes me

[catrancher]

Was there one called Alias Smith and Jones

There was. See this IMDB article. That was a little later than the others though.

There was another one about a ranch but that completely escapes me

They were westerns! They all had ranches in them.

Tom (... Circle Bar D Whatchamacallit Hoop Dee Doo!)

[Wendy]

They were westerns! They all had ranches in them.

Tom (... Circle Bar D Whatchamacallit Hoop Dee Doo!)

OK, was there something called the High Chaparral and another one like it

[catrancher]

was there something called the High Chaparral and another one like it

Yep. The High Chaparral. Would the other one you're thinking of perhaps be "Bonanza"?

Tom (... still hung up remembering Sky King!)

[Wendy]

Yep. The High Chaparral. Would the other one you're thinking of perhaps be "Bonanza"?

Tom (... still hung up remembering Sky King!)

Yes it was Bonanza! I remember saying to Dad that it was a silly name and asking why it was called that and my Dad saying, "because it is"