I was just reading this morning that Ryan Gosling (The Notebook, the upcoming Logan's Run re-make) may join the upcoming Lone Ranger movie if schedule permits. Then I'm reminded of the version that Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean films) wants to do. If you don't know or remember here's his quote regarding the project..."The only version of Lone Ranger I'm interested in doing is 'Don Quixote' told from Sancho Panza's point of view. And hence I was honest early on with Johnny [Depp] that Tonto is the part. We're not going to do it (straight), everyone knows that story.”
Don Quixote is a retired country gentleman nearing 50 years of age, who has become obsessed with books of chivalry, and believes their every word to be true, despite the fact that many of the events in them are clearly impossible. Quixano eventually appears to other people to have lost his mind due to lack of sleep and food from dedicating all of his time to reading.
So, he rather have a crazy Lone Ranger and an Caucasian Tonto in his movie than do it straight. Obviously, no one told him the reaction Jonah Hex received after it came out. If you haven't seen that movie, your fortunate. That is the only movie I have ever walked out from. Having Hex with the ability to talk to the death, plus weapons that came out of the horrible Wild, Wild, West movie was really disappointing.
Can't Hollywood make a good western anymore? Yes, they can. True Grit (2010) and 3:10 to Yuma (2007) were critically acclaimed and did well at the box office. Granted, both of them are remakes, but that is Hollywood's current m.o. right now - remakes, reboots and re-imaginings. Do they feel that westerns are unappealing to the general public? Well, I refer to back a couple of sentences ago - the evidence shows that we like them, and will go see them - as long as we have a good story and very little CGI.
Oh, by the way, the above picture was found on The Art of Michael L. Peters' website. I though it was cool!
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