Lone Ranger movie halted, Depp still gets paid

by Cassam Looch

Disney have reportedly shut down production on 'The Lone Ranger' following disputes over the film's budget, but star Johnny Depp is still set to receive a multi-million dollar fee without even having to get in the saddle.

As producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski planned the lavish movie version of the popular TV Western, the proposed outlay increased from an already-high £123m to an eye-watering £169m.

Depp has been attached to the role of Tonto since 2008, with things picking up pace recently with a release date of 21 December 2012 being announced and 'The Social Network' star Armie Hammer landing the title role.

However Hollywood has been tightening belts in light of the global economic situation and even the team behind the billion-dollar 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise aren't enough to warrant a blank cheque.

Depp and Disney have had a fruitful relationship together, with the Pirates films raking in the cash and 'Alice in Wonderland' becoming one of the most profitable films of all time.

The studio will be keen to keep the star happy, and with 'The Lone Ranger' being a project that Depp has been after for a while, rumours that Johnny will still be paid his usual fee, something in the region of £15m, seem entirely plausible.

It might not mean the end of the film however. Film website, Deadline, are reporting an insider as saying:

“Let's see how it all shakes out on Monday [Today]. There's always a chance that it could go. You never know until you know.”

Did Disney execs get spooked by the prospect of spending so much on what would essentially be a comedy-Western? Did somebody mention 'Wild Wild West'?