The Lone Ranger

[davidg]

Please. I've forgiven what they did with the Green Hornet because it was entertaining. The Lone Ranger is more sacred ground. This is pure Americana they're messing with. Just stop.

I agree with you 110% but then again, "THEY" are the ones who also killed off Superman, for awhile.. and Captain America .. apparently ..permanently.

[Cousi]

Ok folks, here is the first released image for the upcoming (May 2013) version of The Lone Ranger.


Now, I've read some of the criticisms of this image that are already coming out. Especially about Johnny Depp. That he's making a mockery of Native Americans and he looks like a joke of the character. That, why doesn't a Native American play Tonto? Well Depp is part Cherokee, so that takes care of that. And I think that he looks more Authentic to an Indian Shaman in this outfit than he would have in the old Americanized comic book buckskin outfit that is so prevalent in most memories and a bit more of an insult to the character and culture.
If anything The Lone Ranger looks more ready for a GQ cover shoot.

I'm liking the look of this thus far. It seems to have the grittiness that I'm looking for, especially in Tonto.

Thanks for the photo. This does have a grittier look to it, but its all over the place. Tonto is supposed to be an Apache warrior, if I remember correctly and from what I understand of the culture, this is not what an Apache shaman looks like. Just because it's grittier doesn't mean it's any less insulting. I'm still looking at this with a skeptical eye.
For reference, here is a photo of a real (Kiowa) Apache shaman:

If they get rid of that ridiculous crow on his head, then they might have something.

For the record, Depp's Cherokee heritage is slimmer than my own First Nations heritage (5 generations) so that hardly compares with Jay Silverheels full membership of the Mohawk nation.

Although I agree that the Lone Ranger looks like a freaking dude, not a gunslinger ready to do what's necessary.

(Dude in western parlance is an insult, btw)

[RetroRebel]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-5 ... spotlight/

Here's a short little article I found.

After the release of the first movie still from Disney's action-adventure "The Lone Ranger" the internet has been abuzz about what direction director Gore Verbinski is going to take this remake of the 1950s classic TV show.

The photo that leaked shows Johnny Depp in full makeup as the spirit warrior Tonto and Armie Hammer buttoned-up in a suit, sporting the traditional black mask of the Lone Ranger, John Reid.

"The Lone Ranger" TV show, which aired from 1949-1957, followed ranger-turned-vigilante Reid, played by Clayton Moore, and his Native American compainion Tonto, played by Jay Silverheels.

But, in Verbinski's remake Depp's Tonto will be the main character and Hammer's Lone Ranger will become the sidekick.

"I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way to..."Eliminate' isn't possible - but reinvent the relationship, to attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans, not only in 'The Lone Ranger,' but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema, and turn it on its head," Depp explained to Entertainment Weekly about his character.

Whaaa....? Tonto is and always will be the sidekick! What are they thinking?

[davidg]

Ok, not that I have any problems with native americans.. but ... they're NOT doing the story justice.. they're doing a different story.. They won't need my money.

[DanielJones]

Tonto is supposed to be an Apache warrior, if I remember correctly and from what I understand of the culture, this is not what an Apache shaman looks like. Just because it's grittier doesn't mean it's any less insulting. I'm still looking at this with a skeptical eye.
For reference, here is a photo of a real (Kiowa) Apache shaman:

If they get rid of that ridiculous crow on his head, then they might have something.

For the record, Depp's Cherokee heritage is slimmer than my own First Nations heritage (5 generations) so that hardly compares with Jay Silverheels full membership of the Mohawk nation.

Tonto wasn't an Apache, he was the son of the Chief of the Potawatomi nation. Tonto meaning "Wild One" in their language. Their look is quite different and the do in certain ceremonies wear either and array of feathers or a whole bird as a head dress. So the crow is not out of place in this image, especially with the war paint on. And he does look closer to a Wyandot Warrior than a Potawatomi. Ocourse this is just one image that has been released, who knows how they are going to treat the story, so we can't judge the book by the one page that has fallen out.
I'm interested in how they are going to do the full treatment of the costume. Will he always have the war paint? Or is this just a shot in preparation for a battle? Hard to say.
The bandana treatment seems to be correct though.


Cheers!

Dan

[Super Ordinary Guy]

Ok folks, here is the first released image for the upcoming (May 2013) version of The Lone Ranger.


Now, I've read some of the criticisms of this image that are already coming out. Especially about Johnny Depp. That he's making a mockery of Native Americans and he looks like a joke of the character. That, why doesn't a Native American play Tonto? Well Depp is part Cherokee, so that takes care of that. And I think that he looks more Authentic to an Indian Shaman in this outfit than he would have in the old Americanized comic book buckskin outfit that is so prevalent in most memories and a bit more of an insult to the character and culture.
If anything The Lone Ranger looks more ready for a GQ cover shoot.

I'm liking the look of this thus far. It seems to have the grittiness that I'm looking for, especially in Tonto.

Thanks for the photo. This does have a grittier look to it, but its all over the place. Tonto is supposed to be an Apache warrior, if I remember correctly and from what I understand of the culture, this is not what an Apache shaman looks like. Just because it's grittier doesn't mean it's any less insulting. I'm still looking at this with a skeptical eye.
For reference, here is a photo of a real (Kiowa) Apache shaman:

If they get rid of that ridiculous crow on his head, then they might have something.

For the record, Depp's Cherokee heritage is slimmer than my own First Nations heritage (5 generations) so that hardly compares with Jay Silverheels full membership of the Mohawk nation.

Although I agree that the Lone Ranger looks like a freaking dude, not a gunslinger ready to do what's necessary.

(Dude in western parlance is an insult, btw)

Excellent reply and took the words right out of my mouth....

I guess my problem is I Grew Up Watching the Lone ranger and just feel things should be similar to what I was used to as a little boy wearing dual cap guns...

Those Lone Ranger guns BTW had little bullets in then and you could remove the bullet and put a circular cap over the "lead" and put it back into the pistol so it would go bang when you pulled the trigger.. Very Ingenious for its day and very authentic to the kid who wore them.....

I also agree with DavidG, they won't need my money either.....

Of course the show as made up as is Santa Claus and I couldn't imagine a Santa Claus wearing a different outfit and not looking the same as the one I grew up with either.....

Just my two cents...

[n11pilot]

This cuts to the question of,"Why do we study the classics in colleges?" Aside from the obvious that the classics are great literature it is because cultures and societies are defined by their myths. Studying and understanding the myths can give us a window into the minds that led those cultures.

The Lone Ranger is an American myth that seeks to define us as we would like to see ourselves. It does not tell the story of the fact of us, but rather what we strive to be. This is going to seem hopelessly corny to anyone who can't remember black and white TV, but when I watched The Lone Ranger as a kid it made me want to be better. The myth of The Lone Ranger taught me, well maybe that is not quite correct, perhaps it reinforced the lessons that my parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts were trying to teach me.

I can't say that I have always lived up to those lessons but I can honestly say that I have always tried. It would be very sad if this most American myth and its message are somehow twisted to fit on the altars of overseas profits and mindless political correctness. The makers of this film have some very big shoes (Boots/moccasins) to fill and should take that responsibility seriously. If they fail in this they don't need my money either.

[Doug Palumbo]

I disagree, Tonto was never a sidekick, in the classic sense, to the Ranger but an equal partner in the pursuit of justice and fair play. He was ALWAYS treated with dignity and respect by the Ranger, never as a second class citizen or man servant type. They were best friends from childhood; Reid saving Tonto's life when both were boys and Tonto returning the deed after the ambush in Bryant's Gap.

I am trying hard to be open minded with the movie. The pic could be just a publicity shot to test the waters. Who knows if it's even from a scene in the movie. The Lone Ranger characters and mythos are literally a part of my fame history so I really want this movie not to suck. I am hoping it will be better than it is being currently portrayed in interviews.

I was much against the new Amazing Spiderman movie and thought the new costume was just too different. After seeing the full trailer, I was quite surprised to be liking what I saw. I hope The Lone Ranger surprises me just as much when the trailer is released.

[Cousi]

I disagree, Tonto was never a sidekick, in the classic sense, to the Ranger but an equal partner in the pursuit of justice and fair play. He was ALWAYS treated with dignity and respect by the Ranger, never as a second class citizen or man servant type. They were best friends from childhood; Reid saving Tonto's life when both were boys and Tonto returning the deed after the ambush in Bryant's Gap.

>snip<

I hope The Lone Ranger surprises me just as much when the trailer is released.

I agree that Tonto wasn't a sidekick but a partner. It REALLY bothers me that the title character is being reduced to a sidekick though. If they're willing to turn the title character into a sidekick, my guess is the Lone Ranger's Creed won't be seen or heard from.

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.

[DanielJones]

Ok, for all those that are crying "Foul!" to Johhny Depp's Tonto he reveals his inspiration for the visage, bird and all. Based on a painting called "I am Crow" by Kirby Sattler, who doesn't make a mockery of any Tribe.

http://screencrush.com/johnny-depp-tonto-inspiration/

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Depp reveals that he took the cues for his Tonto look from a painting by artist Kirby Sattler.

“[I] looked at the face of this warrior and thought: That’s it…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.”...

Here's a recent on site photo during shooting in New Mexico.

Badass Digest, by way of their tipsters on the world wide web, lands this EPIC pic of Johnny Depp, once again in costume as the Native American character Tonto, à la Disney’s The Lone Ranger.

Pictured with the Surgeon General of Navajo Nation, Dr. Gayle Dine’Chacon in Monument Valley today, this candid shot lends a more live-action look to the storied character as portrayed by the legendary actor.

http://www.oneheadlightink.com/sindication/tag/johnny-depp-in-new-mexico/


http://screenrant.com/lone-ranger-images-johnny-depp-tongo-navajo-nation-kofi-165690/

Cheers!

Dan

[Doug Palumbo]

From my understanding, the crow in the painting is not on his head but flying behind it. As big of a fan as I am, I dig the now look for Tonto, minus the crow.

I also heard that Jack White of The White Stripes will do the score:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=89577

Not too familiar with his music so if someone is, please fill me in. Could his music feel 'epic' or 'western' enough?

[Cousi]

So my understanding of things being that Tonto is a Powatomi, not a Crow and this is a movie about the Lone Ranger, not Tonto. Different tribes dress different ways. You wouldn't think a person in a kimono is French for example. Hollywood has a nasty habit of playing fast and loose with the First Nations. I'd rather see Tonto in buckskins (which is true to the Lone Ranger legend) rather than making him a Crow-dressed Powatomi.

The Lone Ranger has never been about historical accuracy or realism. Its about a man who lives his life by certain ideals and never backs down from them. He and his partner Tonto serve higher ideals. The Lone Ranger is, in many ways, a super hero. If they're not focusing on the Lone Ranger (which it appears they're not) and the code by which he and Tonto had chosen to live (no clues about that) then they're not staying true to the source material. If the movie is just too much fun like the Green Hornet, then I'll look at it as a fun semi-serious spoof like I do that. I don't think of that movie as being about the Green Hornet, I think of it as a spoof and that's how I enjoy it.

I reserve my opinion on the movie, because I like some of the pics I've seen but I'm not exactly thrilled to see it.

[n11pilot]

Cousi, I waver between more or less your take on it and a real dread of having one of my childhood heroes messed with. Would it really be so bad if they played the Lone Ranger as remembered?
I'm sure that some MBA holding, sycophantic, studio suit has his eye on the bottom line with a concern for international profits so I guess I have my answer.

All I can say is that if they do a remake of Have Gun Will Travel and they screw it up I intend to invest in some black clothing and a copy of Plutarch's Lives and set them straight.

[DanielJones]

I don't have the feeling that they are going to screw around with this one. I see it as, for the lack of a better word, a reboot, in a way. I'd wager that this is an origins story of how both men became who they are and how they met. In that case I wouldn't be surprised if they made this in to a trilogy and maybe tying actual historical characters. William Fichtner who is in the cast is a fantastic character actor that I always enjoy seeing. I think that he'll do well as Butch Cavandish. Berry Pepper's character is still unnamed. He did a bang up job in True Grit, and as a result I could see him as Julius Bartholomew, maybe even Collins.

I hope they give it that feel like they had in Geronimo. Gritty, serious in parts with a little comedic moment sprinkled here & there with some banter to lighten it a bit. They may change the look of the Lone Ranger & Tonto but I don't think that they'll screw with the core beliefs. I would be happy to see Tonto as a witty, outspoken and sarcastic character like they portrayed him in the Topps Comics. They could give some insight as to how her got the Name Tonto, which I think is a Spanish term used back then for "not right in the head". So he plays off as a bit off balance, but it is all a bluff. In reality he is just as sharp and articulate as the Lone Ranger, maybe more so. Savvy?

I for one won't pre-judge this story from just a couple of images I've seen on the web. I walk into it with an open mind and heart expecting only what I already know from the participants involved. I've like their work in the past, so I'm sure to enjoy this one too.

Cheers!

Dan

[DanielJones]

Here's a great shot of the Lone Ranger. They are slowly trickling in.


And one of Tonto on horseback


Now I had heard somewhere when word first came out about this project that there was going to be a possible supernatural element as part of the plot but that became a budget killer. It would be interesting to have the Skin Walker legend come into play, just as a side plot.

Cheers!

Dan