First Look At Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer in The Lone Ranger

[AlwaysWitty]

Jar jar Binks was played by a black Comic.  Would his character be less ofensive, if it had been done by a white actor?  Depp's portrayal of Tonto somehow reminds me of the character played by Robert Downey jr. in "Tropic Thunder".

  The whole reason Tonto was created, was for the purpose of the radio show, that the Lone ranger would have somebody to talk to.  By the time Jay Silverheels came on board, the character had been rebooted so that Tonto was an Apache, because the Lone Ranger would have been more likely saved in Texas by a Native American who was from the area, rather then a Native American who came from Michigan.  But Depp is an innovative actor.  Maybe his Tonto can be employed by GM, and was test driving an experimetal Buick sedan in Texas, when he located the injured Reid.  Or better still, set the Lone Ranger's story in Michigan.  If you're going to make changes in the story to be withit, don't stop with minor things like putting dead birds on the sidekick's head.

Jar Jar Binks was offensive because (even though he was some weird amphibious alien) he was a cartoonish racist stereotype, not because of the color of the actor behind that dumb face. Also, the whole point of RDJ's character in Tropic Thunder was to poke fun at Oscar-bait method actors who aren't afraid to go over the top with their roles if it means putting another gold statue somewhere. Again, what made Kirk Lazaraus's portrayal of Lincoln Osiris racist was that it was a cartoonish stereotype, as Alpa Chino frequently pointed out. The irony of his controversial "full retard" bit is that he's criticizing people who over-act so far that they become an offensive stereotype of a group of people (the mentally handicapped) when he himself is doing the exact same thing for another group of people.

As this photo is the only thing anyone has to go by about Tonto's character in this film, or Depp's performance, one thing is clear: they're not going for a racist stereotype. They're looking to a real Native American culture, to real Native American customs and styles of dress, to make up Tonto's appearance here. If he looks silly, that's just culture shock. Like Wich is pointing out, it doesn't make much sense to complain that he's not "Indian" enough when he actually looks like a real Indian here.

By the way, what do you call this?

[Haunted hearse]

By the way, what do you call this?

A look that would make more sense for Tonto, then the getup Depp has chosen.
Call it what you wish, but I think we basically have Depp finding some cool native American look he wants to use, and it really doesn't matter if it's correct for Tonto's character.  Why not simply have Tonto dressed as an Aztec Priest?  They were native American. 
   I can't help think that this film is going to be another "Green Hornet", a dopey white guy with a cool ethnic sidekick, suceeds despite the dopey white guy's bumbling.   Nice outfit on the Lone Ranger.  A heavy broadcloth suit is just the thing to camp out in the wilderness, and deal with a hot and dusty climate.  Today's filmaker's really don't have any interest in making the old fashioned morality stories, that were westerns like the Lone Ranger, unless it's to satirize them.  I've already seen the hatchet job that was done with the Green Hornet, looks to me like this will be more of the same.  If I want to see a funny mockery of the old fashioned western, I'll pop in my DVD copy of Blazing Saddles.

[AlwaysWitty]

A look that would make more sense for Tonto, then the getup Depp has chosen.
Call it what you wish, but I think we basically have Depp finding some cool native American look he wants to use, and it really doesn't matter if it's correct for Tonto's character.  Why not simply have Tonto dressed as an Aztec Priest?  They were native American. 
   I can't help think that this film is going to be another "Green Hornet", a dopey white guy with a cool ethnic sidekick, suceeds despite the dopey white guy's bumbling.   Nice outfit on the Lone Ranger.  A heavy broadcloth suit is just the thing to camp out in the wilderness, and deal with a hot and dusty climate.  Today's filmaker's really don't have any interest in making the old fashioned morality stories, that were westerns like the Lone Ranger, unless it's to satirize them.  I've already seen the hatchet job that was done with the Green Hornet, looks to me like this will be more of the same.  If I want to see a funny mockery of the old fashioned western, I'll pop in my DVD copy of Blazing Saddles.

That's a huge conclusion you're jumping to based on one still image that, visually, treats its subject matter realistically and seriously.

[Wich2]

>A look that would make more sense for Tonto, then the getup Depp has chosen.<

Do you have inside information confirming that that choice was by Depp, rather than by the writer, director, production designer, or costume designer?

>Why not simply have Tonto dressed as an Aztec Priest?  They were native American.<

That would make about as much sense as putting a 19th century Frenchman in full Lederhosen regalia. They're both European.

>I can't help think that this film is going to be another "Green Hornet", a dopey white guy with a cool ethnic sidekick, suceeds despite the dopey white guy's bumbling.<

I admit, I'm afraid of that, too. But one picture doesn't prove it.

>Nice outfit on the Lone Ranger.  A heavy broadcloth suit is just the thing to camp out in the wilderness, and deal with a hot and dusty climate.<

(And the powder blue spandex that Clay Moore wore was truer?) Did you see the pic I posted earlier of actual Texas Rangers? Have you seen pics from the time of folks like Wild Bill Hickock?

>Today's filmaker's really don't have any interest in making the old fashioned morality stories, that were westerns like the Lone Ranger, unless it's to satirize them.<

Did you see DEADWOOD? Or the remake of 3:10 TO YUMA? Or especially, PURGATORY? Or...

And for the third time: how does this famous guy rank for reality and accuracy with you?

[The Masked Man]

After my initial shock of the photo that was released and after I calmed down...I finally came to the conclusion....it don't matter what we think....like it or not this thing is going to happen.  It may be another Green Hornet and they ain't much we can do about.

This is being made for a different age range then we are.....most of the younger people have no idea who the Lone Ranger is....or what he represents....and in my opinion...that is a crying shame.

The Lone Ranger will always stand for what is good, right and fair.  That any one can make a difference....that good will triumph over evil.

This is the Lone Ranger's Creed.

I believe...
·   that to have a friend, a man must be one.
·   that all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
·   that God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.
·   in being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
·   that a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
·   that 'this government of the people, by the people, and for the people' shall live always.
·   that men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
·   that sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
·   that all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever.
·   in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

Some people would think that this is hokey now....and that is a shame as well.

When the series went to color they changed the Ranger's suit to blue....his bandana to red and we all know the good guys wear the white hat.....thcy chose those colors to match the U.S. Flag.

Back in the day when America was something and most citizens  where proud to be an American....I could go on and on about this....but back to the topic at hand....

Yes...the bird is silly for Tonto....and yes the suit is odd....but remember that today's viewers would find the blue one odd as well.....I just hope that they get it to something close.....the Cavalry wore light blue pants and the style shirt the Ranger worn was a skinner type...that is a real shirt worn back then....but this is only the first photo and I hope they change.

But I hate to think that the Ranger will be played as a simpleton to Depp's Tonto...that is not how it should be....they should be equals...
In some  threads people think that the Ranger should be a deserter since he did not report back after the massacre....Those people just don't get it.....

Disney has a golden chance to bring a very positive hero to the attention of young people everywhere today....Do we really need another Punisher or a Drunken Pirate?

[charp13]

I admit that while I was a child of the 60s/70s, I watched The Lone Ranger but I did not fully understand the serious messages that the program presented.
The Masked Man- Thanks for sharing your knowledge of this wonderful tv show of yesteryear    I had forgotten about The Creed.  I really need to go back and watch the episodes again now that I'm a grown up!

[Wich2]

MM, I love The Ranger too - and as I have said, based as much on the PUREST version, the radio series, as any other.

And I understand your fears - but can you REALLY say, based on one little still, that Disney means to dismantle all you listed above?

What if it's not the joke the new GREEN HORNET was, but the decent reboot that the new STAR TREK was?

-Craig

[The Masked Man]

No...sorry I did not mean to say that Disney wants to dismantle all of the above....

I just hope that they don't.....we don't need to have them be goofy or simpletons...either of them.

Depp is a good actor...but most of the roles he has played...Jack Sparrow...Willy Wonka....Ichabod Crane...etc...they have been for the most part for lack of a better words....very odd.

Tonto does not need to be this way.  I under stand that Depp is a major bankable star....but please dial it down a notch with this one Johnny.

I understand the need to update somethings....the suit would not work with most of todays viewers....but they could try to be close....they did not do a bad job in the Legend of the Lone Ranger...it worked and was an updated version.....Remember that the Ranger and Tonto have been around for 78 years.....they have went thru changes....at first Tonto was not around....The Ranger did not have Silver...etc....all the big changes where for the better....but the core values was always the same....

I'm hoping that Disney does not change them.....

In other words...if it ain't broke...don't fix it....

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

I'm optimistic about this project at this time. I'm excited to have the Lone Ranger and Tonto back on the big screen for modern audiences to rediscover, and of course, this may lead some young people back to the source of the subject matter.

The Masked Man, the only thing that worked about "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" was the costume. The film flopped. I found it dull and lifeless, and the only thing I enjoyed about it was seeing the Ranger and Tonto on the big screen in nice, new costumes. The actors chosen for this new film are of a much higher caliber. Johnny Depp is usually at his best when given a challenge. He is wonderful in the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, but you can feel his weariness with the role in each consecutive sequel. Depp was born in Kentucky, like myself, and both of us have Native American Heritage in our lineage. Depp has been passionate about getting this project off the ground for several years, and that should translate to an engaged performance.

I don't know that much about Armie Hammer yet, and this is certainly a revisionist version of "The Lone Ranger," but until I hear or see something completely out of whack, I will remain interested in this potentially exciting film.

[Wich2]

>Depp is a good actor...but most of the roles he has played...Jack Sparrow...Willy Wonka....Ichabod Crane...etc...they have been for the most part for lack of a better words....very odd.<

I can relate to that, MM - The Wife and I have the same fear about a similar actor, Daniel Day Lewis: we hope Speilberg doesn' t let him turn Lincoln into a freakazoid...

[The Masked Man]

Hmmm....it could be worse...they could throw in some vampires and let Lincoln hunt them.....oh wait...

[Fester]

Pretty funny stuff.

I work with people who were shocked to find out Hugh Laurie is English!  That is because he is a good actor.  Johnny Depp is also a good actor and I'm sure he will make an interesting Tonto.

Heck, if Ed Ames, a son of Ukranian Jewish immigrants could play an Indian on Daniel Boone, and Lou Diamond Phillips (born in Subic Bay, Philippines) could play an Indian, why not? 

Remember the movie, The Magnificent Seven?  Bernardo O'Higgins a Mexican-Irish gunfighter was played by a son of Lithuanian immigrants; The wanna-be gunfighter Chico, was played by a German.  And the old Mexican man who suggested the villagers hire gunfighters?  His real name? Vladimir Nikolaevich Sokoloff--born in Tsarist Russia.  And did Eli Wallach fail to make a convincing Mexican bad man because he was born in Brooklyn?  Its called acting.

And as regards the "Authentic Indian" Iron Eyes Cody:  here is a news flash for some of you.

Cody was born Espera Oscar de Corti in Kaplan, Louisiana, the son of Antonio de Corti and his wife, Francesca Salpietra, immigrants from Sicily. In some of his earliest credits, he was Tony de Corti. later, Tony Corti, and finally Cody.

[Fester]

Men, hold your fire - or at least, take a minute to aim better.

This is a real Indian:



These are real Texas Rangers:



So, let me get this straight: folks are upset that the characters here look less like kid's imaginations, and more like the real thing?

-Craig

But the real Texas Rangers could get all duded-up too. . .  El Paso 1896.

Armie's suit don't look too far out of place there.  Except it was probably tailored a little better.

[Wich2]

>And as regards the "Authentic Indian" Iron Eyes Cody:  here is a news flash for some of you.<

FINALLY someone gets my point! Thanks, Fester.

And yes - The Ranger in the pic with Depp looks VERY much like some of those in the group shot you posted: black clothes, long coat, white hat - all the elements are there.

So - problems still, guys?

-Craig

[Fester]

I'm kind of looking forward to this movie.
Good, bad or mediocre--there aren't enough westerns coming down the pike.

I'll be there to see it. . . As long as Christopher Lloyd doesn't play Butch Cavendish