Note: This film is using the working title of “Silver Bullet”. A working title is the temporary name of a film used during its development. Working titles are used primarily for two reasons – the first being that an official title has not yet been decided upon and the working title is being used as a filler for naming purposes, the second being to intentionally disguise the production of a high profile film. In some cases a working title may ultimately be used as the official title. This “title ruse” is now a very common practice by which these high-profile films or television series are given a fake working title to keep its production a secret, and to prevent price gouging by suppliers, casual theft and undesirable attention. The release title of this film will be “The Lone Ranger” or simply “Lone Ranger”.
The Walt Disney Pictures has come to financial terms with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski, Johnny Depp, and other key members of the cast and crew of “The Lone Ranger”. Changes include a reduction in the budget from $250 million to approximately $200 million. Filming will still take place in New Mexico from February 13, 2012 through July 14, 2012. The film’s remaining supporting players are still being cast in Los Angeles, and smaller speaking roles, extras, stand-ins, and photo-doubles for the film’s stars are being cast in New Mexico.
There had been a huge extras open casting call scheduled in Silver City, New Mexico on August 21, 2011. Disney pulled the plug just one week before the open casting call was to take place. The studio claimed that the budget was just too high. Director Gore Verbinski had already finalized the shooting script and signed on his lead actors, Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp – both of which would have to be paid whether the project went further or not. The Screen Actors Guild never removed “The Lone Ranger” from it’s production list, leading to speculation that this delay has been nothing more that a ploy by the studio to get the budget reduced by $50 million.
In addition to cast and crew changes, other cuts include reducing the amount of CGI effects, and vendors working on the film such as special effects houses and even hotels have agreed to accept reduced guaranteed fees in order to assure that the costs of the production remain acceptable to the studio. There was also several pricey steam locomotive train sequences that were to be in the film, but have now been cancelled to further cut costs. Many top executives at other major studios said they have never heard of such widespread shared sacrifice on a major studio film release.
Gore Verbinski, who is best known for directing Johnny Depp in the first three Disney “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, will still direct “The Lone Ranger” from an adapted screenplay written by Justin Haythe. Verbinski’s Blind Wink Productions has been brought on board as one of the production companies and Classic Media will distrubute “Lone Ranger” overseas. Jerry Bruckheimer, who has won 7 Primetime Emmy Awards and is currently on the National Board of Directors of the Producers Guild of America, is producing “The Lone Ranger”. Chad Oman and Mike Stenson will executive produce for Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Johnny Depp has described the film as an update on the television series, with the screenplay focused more on him as the sidekick Tonto. Depp has stated that Tonto’s role will challenge ideas about Native Americans that were portrayed in the original television series.
New Open Casting Call Details
The extras casting director is seeking the following types:
• Males with no facial hair
• Males with lots of facial hair
• Females of all sizes with long hair
• Native Americans
• Asians
• Horseback Riders
Where:
Far Horizon Studio
300 Washington SE
Suite 304
Albuquerque, NM 87108
Click Here for directions.
When:
Sunday, December 11, 2011
9:00am – 4:00pm
Come with your best western look!
Additional open casting calls will be posted here throughout filming.
In addition to the open casting call, the Los Angeles casting director is also seeking the following:
• Male, Hispanic or Native American. Looks 8-10 years of age. MUST be able to show strong emotions on cue. DO NOT submit unless child is NATIVE AMERICAN or HISPANIC – and LOOKS Native American or Hispanic. Otherwise, you are wasting the casting directors time, and your own time.
It is recommended to include a link to an online acting demo link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) with your submission showing the child expressing emotions, especially crying.
Principal Actor Casting
See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.
Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.
Los Angeles:
Denise Chamian Casting
1438 N. Gower Street
Building 35
Suite 270
Hollywood, CA 90028
Extras Casting
New Mexico:
Elizabeth Gabel Casting
“The Lone Ranger” Extras
304 Washington SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
Extras Registration
Production Companies:
Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.
“The Lone Ranger” Production Office
5650 University Blvd. SE
Building C
Suite 133
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Silver Bullet Productions
100 Universal City Plaza
Building 6111
Universal City, CA 91608
Walt Disney Pictures
500 S Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
Jerry Bruckheimer Films
1631 Tenth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Blind Wink Productions
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
Classic Media
860 Broadway Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10003
Producers:
Jerry Bruckheimer
Mike Stenson
Chad Oman
Director:
Gore Verbinski
Starring:
Johnny Depp
Armie Hammer
Tom Wilkinson
Ruth Wilson
Dwight Yoakam
Barry Pepper
Helena Bonham Carter
Story:
Left for dead in an ambush with five other Texas Rangers, lawman John Reid (Armie Hammer) survives and is nursed back to health by an Indian scout named Tonto (Johnny Depp). He then dons a mask to avenge the murders of his comrades and to foil evildoers, never accepting payment for his services. His gratis vigilantism is made possible by the silver mine he inherits from one of his slain brothers – the same mine that affords him his endless supply of trademark silver bullets.
