We've known for some time that Gore Verbinski's feature version of The Lone Ranger is coming, but now we know exactly when. Deadline reports that the film is set for a December 21, 2012 release.

"It's sort of 'Don Quixote' told from Sancho Panza's point of view," Verbinski told ComingSoon.net of the film's plot earlier this year.

Armie Hammer will play the titular hero with Johnny Depp attached to the role of Tonto. The film is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and features a script from Justin Haythe.

A December 2012 release puts The Lone Ranger up against the December 14th release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and, also on the 21st, Life of Pi. Though specifically unscheduled, Zack Snyder's Man of Steel is also expected that month with rumors continuing that J.J. Abrams' Star Trek sequel may be delayed for December 2012 as well.