New Mexico Welcomes THE LONE RANGER Which Starts Filming Next Month

This announcement about the start of the production on THE LONE RANGER didn’t come from Disney, it came from Governor Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Film Office.
Via onlocationvacations, THE LONE RANGER starts filming next month through August..

Governor Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Film Office announced today that Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ The Lone Ranger, directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp, will begin principal photography in New Mexico in February 2012, with production planned in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations around the state through the middle of August 2012.

“The Lone Ranger is proof that New Mexico’s film industry is alive and well,” said Governor Martinez. “This administration is committed to fostering productive relationships with film studios so we can continue to offer our talented workforce and breathtaking backdrops for major productions. As we continue to build upon our reputation as a premier film production center, we are pleased to welcome The Lone Ranger to our state.”

State and local officials have been working with the Walt Disney Studios for over a year to bring the project to New Mexico.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring The Lone Ranger production to New Mexico. The state’s world-class crews, local talent and spectacular locations will be critical in helping us take this iconic story and legendary characters to new heights,” said Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer.

“I’d like to thank Governor Martinez, the New Mexico Film Office, and the people of New Mexico for welcoming The Lone Ranger to your state.”

“We welcome The Lone Ranger to Albuquerque,” said Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry.

THE LONE RANGER

“Left for dead for dead in an ambush with five other Texas Rangers, lawman John Reid survives and is nursed back to health by an Indian scout named Tonto. He then dons a mask to avenge the murders of his comrades and to foil evil doers, never accepting payment for his services. His gratis vigilantism is made possible by the silver mine he inherits from one of his slain brothers – the same mine that affords him an endless supply of his trademark silver bullets.”

Starring Armie Hammer as the masked hero and Johnny Depp as the sidekick Tonto.
Tom Wilkinson will play Latham Cole, the villainous railroad tycoon in the oldwest who plays a prominent role in the story.
James Frain will play a tough foreman overseeing Chinese and Indian rail workers who works for Latham Cole.
Ruth Wilson will play Rebecca.
Dwight Yoakam will play play Butch Cavendish, leader of the Cavendish gang
Barry Pepper would play Captain J. Fuller, the leader of the seventh cavalry.
James Badge Dale will play Dan Reid, the Lone Ranger’s older brother and leader of the Texas Rangers.
Helena Bonham Carter, (who’s worked with Depp countless times before) is in talks to play the colorful madam of a local brothel.
To be directed by Gore Verbinski.
Production will start this fall.
THE LONE RANGER will open in theaters on May 31st, 2013

Gore Verbinski will direct from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.
The project is brought to you by super producer Jerry Bruckheimer and production will start February 2012

Based on the 1933 radio show and the 50s popular TV series, THE LONE RANGER. Depp previously implied that his character, though a sidekick, would be as significant as the lead in the movie, just like The Green Hornet movie this past January that showed us that Kato was as much a lead star as Britt Reid. In a separate interview, Depp also emphasized once again that this movie will reinvent the relationship between Lone Ranger and Tonto..

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.”