Hi-Yo Silver, Away! One more time, that masked man will ride again. Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have enlisted writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio for a big screen remake of The Lone Ranger. A live action, hoot-hollering, hero on a horseback western epic, if Bruckheimer follows his pattern of doing things big and bold.Ted and Terry are the same writers that helped bring Pirates of the Caribbean to the movie theaters in three box office bonanzas. And with Pirates, there was a lot less source material. Pirates of the Caribbean was just a ride at Disneyland (and Disney World). The Lone Ranger could be called the Long Ranger with its rich history in radio, TV and written word.
The Lone Ranger has also been a flop in its last few incarnations, including the Klinton Spilsbury picture in 1981, The Legend of the Lone Ranger, that was so feeble Mr. Spilbury's voice was overdubbed by actor James Keach before it was released. It was a certifiable bomb. Then in 2003, WB filmed a two-hour movie as a pilot which was not picked up. For most people, the real Lone Ranger is actor Clayton Moore who played the character as far back as 1949, and continued doing so on and off for the rest of his life. Tonto was Jay Silverheels.
Essentially, the story is mythic and borrows from Zane Grey and Rafael Sabatini (The Mark of Zorro). However, it was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker, telling of a Texas ranger named Dan Reid. He is the lone survivor when a team of five Texas lawmen are ambushed by the Butch Cavendish gang. All are left for dead, but a Native American Indian, a childhood friend of the ranger named Tonto, comes upon the scene and saves him. When he recovers, Reid is determined to bring the killers to justice. To protect his identity, he dons a mask and becomes the Lone Ranger, dedicated to righting wrongs. Tonto agrees to ride with him. Lone uses only silver bullets -- which he shoots sparingly because they are valuable -- and doesn't shoot to kill.
In addition to the mask and the silver bullets, Lone rides a white horse named Silver. The music accompanying the Lone Ranger's adventures has been based on the William Tell Overture by Rossini. If they know what they're doing -- and they probably do -- they'll keep the music. As for casting, hmm...can Johnny Depp ride a horse? Actually, I think they'll go more in the George Clooney direction.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-28-2008 @ 3:49PM
TheTubbyHubby said...
All I want to know is whether Jay Thomas has a role! How cool would that be?
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3-28-2008 @ 4:03PM
Scott said...
Wow, if you asked me "what's a worse idea than bringing back the Lone Ranger for another cursed movie?" I couldn't think of a better answer than "Put it in Jerry Bruckheimer's hands."
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3-28-2008 @ 5:13PM
Eric said...
There is also I recent Lone Ranger comic book by Dynamite Entertainment, I have been reading it, and it's a better good read so far.
http://www.lonerangerfanclub.com/comic.html
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3-28-2008 @ 10:37PM
Bruce said...
John Reid was the Lone Ranger, Dan Reid was the Lone Ranger's NEPHEW
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3-29-2008 @ 3:17AM
Danny Smith said...
Clooney would make a bettter Green Hornet (another Trendle creation he was going to play before he took the Batman role ARRGH!!!) The person who might work for the role is Mark Wahlberg (darker hair). This would also be a good chance for Bruce Willis to play the villian in Cavendish (unless they wind up rearranging the premise)
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