Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 11:08PM Timothy Olyphant to Play 'The Lone Ranger' for Gore Verbinski?
It's no secret that director Gore Verbinski has picked Johnny Depp to play the iconic Tonto for The Lone Ranger project. What has long been the mystery is who will play the popular cowboy riding side by side with Depp's Tonto. Early speculation led us to big names like George Clooney and Brad Pitt, but it turns out Verbinski may have a cast member from his upcoming animated film Rango in mind to fill the boots of the masked cowboy.
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Verbinski, fresh off of promoting Rango, mentioned Justified/Deadwood star Timothy Olyphant as a candidate to play his version of The Lone Ranger.
Verbinski described Olyphant, who voices The Spirit of the West in Rango, as "right" for the part and said it "sounds like a good idea" in having him play the character. Unfortunately, during the interview with the Times he didn't elaborate much further about the likelihood of Olyphant co-starring with Depp.
"It's an odd couple, the two of them together. Getting that tone right is going to be a blast," Verbinski said.
He also mentioned that he envisions a different perspective of the story than the usual way most of us have seen The Lone Ranger and Tonto dynamic.
"The only version of 'Lone Ranger' I'm interested in doing is 'Don Quixote' told from Sancho Panza's point of view. And hence I was honest early on with Johnny that Tonto is the part. We're not going to do it [straight], everyone knows that story. I don't want to tell that story," he said.
We know Tonto will be the main character in the movie, and Depp is Tonto. What's unclear to me is whether Verbinski realistically wants Olyphant for the role or is simply deflecting questions about how good he could be in it. One thing is clear, Depp is the leading man no matter what.
I like the idea of Olyphant as The Lone Ranger, especially if he's Tonto's sidekick in the film. To me, you wouldn't want a bigger or equally well known star playing a secondary character alongside Depp.
Who would you guys pick for the role? Olyphant, Clooney, Pitt or other?
Reader Comments (3)
I like Olyphant in Justified and Hit Man. If the movie is going for a little darker tone I think Olyphant is the man for the part. If they try to make it a little campy like the tv show then I am not sure he could pull it off. Also I just don't see Clooney or Pitt on a horse or being part of the Old West.
just pick timothy olyphant all ready he would be perfect look what he did in deadwood, and hes very hot wow..........
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