Sour Grapes & Saddle Sores

Disney is giving director Gore Verbinski a week to rework the script for his version of The Lone Ranger as it's budget battle continues says THR

However many associated with the project believe the budget pressures are too drastic to salvage the film.

The iconic character's story begins among a group of Texas Rangers chasing down a gang of outlaws led by Butch Cavendish. The gang ambushes the Rangers, seemingly killing them all. One survivor (The Social Network's Armie Hammer) is found, however, by an American Indian named Tonto (Johnny Depp), who nurses him back to health.

The disappointment of the big-budget "Cowboys & Aliens." has given the studio cold feet. The original 2009 script by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio had things like werewolves and other supernatural elements in it--as did Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road)'s re-writes

A source close to the dealmaking says studio chief Rich Ross believes the "substantial budget gap" can only be bridged by Verbinski reimagining some of the bigger sequences and a few "give-backs" from the talent -- moves that those working on the film have been uninterested in making.

"It all starts with [Verbinski]," says a source. "If there is any saving this version of the movie, he'll have to find substantial savings. If he can, maybe we can hold this together."

Verbinski is said to have brought the budget down to $242 million to $244 million via nips and tucks, but the source says it needs to get to $215 million to $220 million -- or less. Verbinski and Bruckheimer are said to have given up a total of $10 million from their fees, but it appears unlikely that the filmmakers will reduce the budget further.

If Ranger doesn't ride, it won't be the first time Verbinski loses a project because of budget reasons. He was to have directed an adaptation of the video game BioShock but Universal Pictures put in on hold in 2009. Verbinski is said to have called cast and crew this week to say he is trying to salvage Ranger.

Replacing Verbinski and reimagining the script would be risky, but Depp might stay since he's been with the project since 2008, two years before Verbinski signed on to helm Ranger. Stay Tuned...