Johnny Depp explains bizarre Tonto outfit

Johnny Depp has spoken out about playing Tonto in Gore Verbinski’s up-coming ‘The Lone Ranger’, specifically his character’s bizarre choice of headwear – a dead bird.

Despite not being the main character (the titular ranger is played by Armie Hammer), Depp was the centre of attention when the first official image of the film was released in March.

Once again playing a role that requires him to dress up and put on an accent, Depp plays the Lone Ranger’s Native American sidekick.

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Tonto’s look was inspired by the work of artist Kirby Sattler and the dead bird he wears as a hat was chosen because “it just so happened Sattler had painted a bird flying directly behind the warrior’s [head]. It looked to me like it was sitting on top,” Depp told Entertainment Weekly.

Naturally he came to the conclusion that “Tonto’s got a bird on his head.”

The make-up was also inspired by the portrait, titled I Am Crow, with Depp describing it in a way that only a world famous actor could get away with: “The stripes down the face and across the eyes … it seemed to me like you could almost see the separate sections of the individual, if you know what I mean.

“There’s this very wise quarter, a very tortured and hurt section, an angry and rageful section, and a very understanding and unique side. I saw these parts, almost like dissecting a brain, these slivers of the individual... That makeup inspired me.”

Kirby Sattler licensed his work out to the filmmakers so they could use the look for their character. The original portrait references the Crow peoples, who are native to the northern part of the American mid-west. In the film Tonto is from a different tribe but it’s thought that his character will blend many different influences.

Depp himself is part Cherokee and Creek Indian.

‘The Lone Ranger’ will star Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter (of course), William Fichtner and Tom Wilkinson, and is set for release in the UK on 31 May 2013.