With the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, it was pretty much inevitable that more would come our way. But it wasn't all signed, dotted, and crossed until now. Variety reports that Johnny Depp has finally signed on for a fourth film. I can only hope that this time around, he gets the passion and the girl. Or at the very least, I hope she doesn't pick a bland dude who lacks charisma and chemistry instead. Ick.
But that's not all, folks! Depp, with a big ol' soft spot for iconic roles lately, has signed on for one more (two if you count Mad Hatter in Burton's Alice in Wonderland). As briefly reported yesterday, he's also going to play Tonto as part of Jerry Bruckheimer's adaptation of The Lone Ranger. The man must like his Bruck. I'm glad he's part Cherokee so there's more basis to this pick than just "Holy crap Depp is awesome and brings in big money!" But that leaves a pressing question:
We still don't have the Lone dude himself. Is there an actor out there who would make a good Lone Ranger, AND be able to fight his way out of Depp's talented shadow? Weigh in below!
Movie Casting News
Johnny Depp cast in 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4,' 'Alice in Wonderland' & 'Lone Ranger'
Depp will reprise his role as swashbuckling, rum-swilling Captain Jack in a fourth 'Pirates' flick, play the tea-party-loving Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's live-action 'Alice in Wonderland' and play the Lone Ranger's sidekick Tonto in Jerry Bruckheimer's 'Lone Ranger.'
Disney / Getty Images
Rachel McAdams cast in 'Sherlcok Holmes'
The 'Wedding Crashers' beauty will play Irene Adler, enimatic love interest to the eponymous detective (Robert Downey Jr.) in Guy Ritchie's action-oriented take on the legendary sleuth. Jude Law co-stars as Watson.
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Will Smith cast in 'I Am Legend' Prequel
Smith returns as Dr. Robert Neville in this prequel chronicling the days leading up to the unleashing of a man-made virus that leaves Neville the lone human survivor in New York City.
Warner Bros.
George Clooney cast in 'Up in the Air'
He's set to star in director Jason Reitman's 'Juno' follow-up 'Up in the Air,' based on the Walter Kirn novel. Clooney will play a corporate downsizer obsessed with collecting 1 million air miles.
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Brad Pitt cast in 'Inglorious Bastards'
Pitt will star as Lt. Aldo Raine, the leader of a band of soldiers forced to undertake a suicide mission into Nazi-occupied France, in Quentin Tarantino's WWII spaghetti Western.
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Angelina Jolie & Tom Cruise cast in 'Edwin A. Salt' & 'The Tourist,' respectively
Jolie is in talks to replace Cruise as a CIA officer who must prove she isn't a Russian sleeper spy in 'Salt.' Cruise, meanwhile, is eyeing a trio of films: 'Food Fight,' 'The Tourist' and 'Sleeper.'
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Tom Cruise possibly cast in 'Sleeper'
Cruise and 'Spider-Man' director Sam Raimi are teaming to develop an adaptation of the eponymous comic about an operative whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him impervious to pain. Cruise is eyeing the lead, with Raimi producing.
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Sacha Baron Cohen & Robert Downey Jr. cast in dueling 'Sherlock Holmes' films
Cohen partners with Will "Watson" Ferrell for a comedy take produced by Judd Apatow. Downey will star in a Holmes drama for director Guy Ritchie.
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Guillermo del Toro & Peter Jackson writing 'The Hobbit
In the best news to hit Middle Earth this year, soon-to-be Hobbit helmer del Toro and erstwhile 'Lord of the Rings' director Jackson announced they will pen 'The Hobbit' together. Casting is still TBD.
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Jack Black cast in 'School of Rock 2'
Jack Black just wants to 'Rock.' The 'Tropic Thunder' star will reprise his role as substitue teacher/rock star wannabe Dewey Finn in a sequel to the hit 2003 comedy.
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1. Will The Lone Ranger be a serious take or will it be a comedy?
If the latter, then I immediately think of Thomas Haden Church for The LR.
Posted at 9:12AM on Sep 25th 2008 by Maria Stahl