Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films announced today the start of principal photography of The Lone Ranger:
Production has commenced on location in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado on Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films epic adventure ÂThe Lone Ranger. The film reunites the filmmaking team of the first three ÂPirates of the Caribbean blockbustersÂproducer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore VerbinskiÂwith Johnny Depp, who created Captain Jack Sparrow in his iconic, Academy AwardÂŽ-nominated performance and contributed the voice of the title character of VerbinskiÂs Academy Award-winning ÂRango.Â
Depp plays spirit warrior Tonto in ÂThe Lone Ranger, with Armie Hammer (ÂThe Social Network, ÂJ. EdgarÂ) starring in the title role. Depp and Hammer are joined by a prestigious international cast which includes Tom Wilkinson, two-time Academy Award nominee (ÂMichael Clayton, ÂIn the BedroomÂ) and Golden GlobeÂŽ and EmmyÂŽ winner (ÂJohn AdamsÂ); William Fichtner (Jerry BruckheimerÂs productions of ÂArmageddon, ÂPearl Harbor and ÂBlack Hawk DownÂ); Emmy Award-winner Barry Pepper (TVÂs ÂThe Kennedys, ÂTrue Grit, ÂSaving Private RyanÂ); James Badge Dale (ÂThe Grey, TVÂs ÂThe Pacific and ÂRubiconÂ); Ruth Wilson (televisionÂs ÂJane Eyre and ÂLutherÂ); and two-time Academy Award nominee and six-time Golden Globe nominee Helena Bonham Carter (ÂThe KingÂs Speech, ÂAlice in WonderlandÂ). The film is slated to open on May 31, 2013.
ÂThe 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 justiceÂtaking 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.
ÂThe Lone Ranger is written by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio of ÂPirates of the Caribbean, Eric Aronson and Justin Haythe. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Eric Ellenbogen and Eric McLeod.
Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski are joined by a remarkable team of behind-the-scenes artists, including director of photography Bojan Bazelli (VerbinskiÂs ÂThe Ring, ÂMr. and Mrs. SmithÂ); visual consultant Mark ÂCrash McCreery (production designer of VerbinskiÂs ÂRango); costume designer Penny Rose (ÂPirates of the Caribbean films); film editor James Haygood (ÂPanic Room, ÂFight ClubÂ); visual effects supervisor Tim Alexander (ÂRango, three ÂHarry Potter films); Academy AwardÂŽ-winning special effects supervisor John Frazier, a 10-time nominee whose previous collaborations with Jerry Bruckheimer have included ÂArmageddon, ÂPearl Harbor and, with Verbinski as well, ÂPirates of the Caribbean: At WorldÂs EndÂ; and stunt coordinator Tommy Harper (ÂIron Man, ÂIron Man 2Â).
Academy AwardÂŽ-winning filmmaker Gore Verbinski has enjoyed tremendous box office success as the innovative director of both character-driven franchises and thoughtful genre-bending fare. Most recently, Verbinski released his first animated film, the smash hit ÂRango, starring Johnny Depp. Grossing over $240 million worldwide, the film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, as well as BAFTA and Annie awards, and received Golden GlobeÂŽ and PGA nominations. Verbinski previously helmed the hit franchise ÂPirates of the Caribbean, directing the first three films starring Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley. The films have collectively grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide since release. He made his directorial debut with ÂMouse Hunt, starring Nathan Lane, followed by the road movie ÂThe Mexican, starring Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini. He also directed the smash horror film ÂThe Ring, starring Naomi Watts.
Verbinski is also a successful award-winning commercial director, having been honored with four Clio Awards and a Cannes Silver Lion Award for his work on an assortment of memorable advertising spots. In addition, he directed music videos for bands including Bad Religion and Crystal Method.
First in partnership with Don Simpson, and then as the chief of Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Bruckheimer has produced an unprecedented string of worldwide smashes, impacting not only the industry, but mass culture as well. BruckheimerÂs films include (producing with Don Simpson) ÂTop Gun, ÂBeverly Hills Cop, ÂBeverly Hills Cop 2, ÂAmerican Gigolo, ÂFlashdance, ÂBad Boys, ÂDangerous Minds, ÂCrimson Tide, ÂThe Rock, and (producing solo) ÂCon Air, ÂArmageddon, ÂEnemy of the State, ÂGone in 60 Seconds, ÂCoyote Ugly, ÂRemember the Titans, ÂPearl Harbor, ÂBlack Hawk Down, ÂPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, ÂBad Boys II, ÂVeronica Guerin, ÂKing Arthur, ÂNational Treasure, ÂPirates of the Caribbean: Dead ManÂs Chest, ÂPirates of the Caribbean: At WorldÂs End, ÂNational Treasure: Book of Secrets and the 2011 blockbuster ÂPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.Â
On television, Bruckheimer had an unprecedented 10 television series airing in the 2005-6 season, a record in the medium for an individual producer. JBTVÂs series include ÂC.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation and its spinoffs ÂC.S.I.: Miami, ÂC.S.I.: NY and ÂWithout a Trace, ÂCold Case and the eight-time EmmyÂŽ Award-winner ÂThe Amazing Race.Â
Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Television have been honored with 41 Academy AwardÂŽ nominations, six wins, eight GRAMMYÂŽ Award nominations, five wins, 23 Golden GlobeÂŽ nominations, four wins, 105 EmmyÂŽ Award nominations, 21 wins, 30 PeopleÂs Choice nominations, 15 wins, numerous MTV Awards, including one for Best Picture of the Decade for ÂBeverly Hills Cop.Â
ÂThe Lone Ranger will film exteriors and studio work in New Mexico, followed by locations in Arizona, Utah and Colorado.