Deadline are reporting that the problems have been all but resolved at the studio, and an official announcement is expected next week.
The key players – Johnny Depp as Tonto, Armie Hammer as the masked hero and Ruth Wilson (Luther) as the female lead – are expected to be back, and we’re hoping Helena Bonham Carter will return, too.
While it seemed strange that a project from the Pirates Of The Caribbean power-combo of Depp, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski could ever be shelved, the primary concern was the budget, which was edging north of $250m.
Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski have apparently chipped that figure down to a mere $215m.
Deadline suggests the disappointing performance of this summer’s western-themed Cowboys & Aliens could have caused Disney’s hesitance.
The vintage property still sounds like a slightly risky proposition, but there’s always the underlying hope that Depp, Verbinski and Bruckheimer could recapture the spirit of the first Pirates, with plenty of laughs, adventure and old-fashioned swashbuckling.
It’s not yet clear if The Lone Ranger is still expected to hit its original December 2012 release date.
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By Celyn • September 24, 2011 • News • Comments: 0