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Thursday, September 01, 2011

Lone Ranger Fate Rests With The Studio

The final fate of Disney's "The Lone Ranger" rests with the studio.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer  and director Gore Verbinski  have agreed to a reduced budget of $215 million according to THR.


A few weeks ago the studio insisted on budget reductions which at the time was estimated anywhere from $240-$275 million The studio wanted it down to $200 million.

Verbinski and Bruckheimer have presented their new budget proposal to Chairman Rich Ross and it looks like the studio may go forward with the film--reluctantly.

Industry insiders didn't believe the trio could get the budget agreement done at all, and to do it they've done everything from major upfront salary cuts to the deletion of a major effects sequence.

Of course if the movie's a success, Gore and Jerry's backend deals could net them more than they would have made with flat fees.

The story of the iconic character's 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." had 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.

Given that Disney doesn't want to drive. Depp off who won’t do the pic without Verbinski directing - means that the studio can't hire a cheaper director in this case and risk losing Depp forever A final decision is not expected until the week after Labor Day.

Stay Tuned...

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