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The Lone Ranger isn't terrible popular among newer generations -- the spectacular failure of the 2013 "Lone Ranger" feature film cemented that notion -- but for many Baby Boomers, the character is a vital pop culture figure. For those who may need a refresher, The Lone Ranger is a masked vigilante who toured the Old West with his Indigenous American compatriot Tonto, writing wrongs on a freelance basis. He was previously a Texas Ranger (hence his moniker), rode a horse named Silver, and dispatched bad guys with specially made silver bullets. 

The Lone Ranger first appeared as the protagonist of a 1933 radio serial co-created by Fran Striker and George W. Trendle, which broadcasted on Wxyz out of Detroit, Michigan. This radio show was popular enough to warrant a "Lone Ranger" TV series, which is what really thrust the titular character into the pop culture zeitgeist as it ran for 221 episodes over nine years.

The Lone Ranger made his debut on a Detroit radio station in 1933, invented by either the station's owner, George W. Trendle, or the show's writer, Fran Striker. (There's some debate on the matter.) As fans of Westerns will know, The Lone Ranger was a masked vigilante who operated in the wilds of 19th century America, tracking down criminals with his best friend, a man named Tonto. Tonto's origins were never made wholly clear, although he's most likely Apache, Comanche, or Potawatomi. The Lone Ranger rode a horse named Silver, and used silver bullets to dispatch his victims.

The Lone Ranger's origin story is the stuff of comic book lore. The Ranger's older brother and a posse of other Texas Rangers were on the trail of an evil criminal named Cavendish, when, thanks to a betrayal, Cavendish got the drop on them. Cavendish killed them all, but left a young boy alive.

The Western genre follows a classic, nostalgic formula. Full of iconic gunslingers, dangerous outlaws, and well-meaning sheriffs, these stories are thrilling at every turn and a great watch for anyone hoping to see a heroic battle in the rugged landscape of the Wild West, potentially in the form of one of pop culture's best non-movie Westerns. Hollywood has maintained its fascination with this niche genre, turning out Western TV shows like the Paramount hit Yellowstone and HBO's Westworld, both of which ran for multiple seasons and found a dedicated fan base.

Though classic Westerns are often looked to as relics of Hollywood's past, many modern Western TV shows would not exist without classic movies and shows that streamlined the genre. In fact, some franchises have even gone on to see new popular adaptations, such as Zorro and The Lone Ranger, due to their influence. Beyond their genre-defining effects, some classic...

Despite the popularity of the genre of Western, not all its movies have succeeded, but one, in particular, stands out for being one of the most expensive Westerns ever and a huge critical and commercial failure. The Western genre is home to many classics, both in film and TV. On the big screen, the Western genre began in the 1890s with short single-reel silents, with the earliest known Western narrative movie being Kidnapping by Indians, in 1899. Since then, the Western genre has evolved a lot, even mixing with other genres, and it continues to be quite popular.

The Western genre has seen various classics, such as The Great Train Robbery, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, True Grit, and Dances with Wolves. However, like any other genre, the branch of Western has also been witness to some big failures, either due to their stories, performances, behind-the-scenes issues, or other controversies.

Ten years ago, Disney’s “The Lone Ranger” galloped into theaters everywhere.

An updated and deconstructed version of the character known primarily for his black mask and white horse (named Silver), the movie was a big-budget, high-concept adventure film from the same team behind Disney’s lucrative “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise – director Gore Verbinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and star Johnny Depp, who would star as Tonto.

The last time the character had graced the big screen was in 1981 with “The Legend of the Lone Ranger,” a project that went through a similarly troubled production and suffered similar critical and commercial indifference.. But Disney had hoped that the combination of the “Pirates” veterans and the more modern take on the material (with the story told from Tonto’s point-of-view) would be enough to lure contemporary audiences to the Western.

But, of course, that didn’t happen. The movie didn’t...

Exclusive: One of the more highly sought after open directing jobs may have just been filled as Sources tell Deadline that Leigh Whannell is in negotiations to direct The Green Hornet And Kato for Universal. Execs have been meeting with directors over the past couple of weeks but insiders close to the meetings felt as soon as Whannell threw his name in the mix he had the edge as the studio has wanted to get back in business with him after he delivered Invisible Man pic to critical acclaim and box-office success. The studio got a script in from David Koepp early this year they are high on and once a deal closes the film should be fast-tracked to the pre-production stages.

Universal optioned rights to The Green Hornet from Amasia in the spring of 2020, after co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo acquired control of the motion picture franchise from...

Amasia Entertainment co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo continue developing the "Green Hornet and Kato" live-action feature, showcasing a female 'Kato', based on the 1936 mask-wearing crime-fighting character from radio, pulp magazines, comic books, movies and TV series:

"The Green Hornet" debuted January 31, 1936 on radio station Wxyz Detroit, the creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker of "The Lone Ranger" fame. 

Broadcasting until 1952 on the Mutual and NBC Blue networks, the series followed the adventures of 'Britt Reid', a bored playboy...

...whose life changes when he inherits his father's newspaper 'The Daily Sentinel' and saves the life of 'Kato', a Japanese man with martial-arts skills.

After Reid and Kato witness a brutal crime, Reid becomes a crime-fighter, using two special, non-lethal guns, with one firing 'knock-out gas' and the other producing a 'Hornet's Sting' electric shock.

Following its successful run on radio, "The Green Hornet" ran in several...

David Koepp has been tapped to write the script for Universal Pictures and Amasia Entertainment’s The Green Hornet and Kato.

This past April, Universal optioned rights to The Green Hornet from Amasia, after co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo acquired control of the motion picture franchise from the family of the original creator George W. Trendle in a competitive bidding war in January.

Helfant, the former president of Marvel Studios, and Gallo will produce the film for Amasia.

The Green Hornet was one of early radio’s most popular adventure shows (predating Superman), before being turned into 1940s movie serials (from Universal ) and the 1966 TV series that introduced Bruce Lee (Kato) to the U.S. The classic story focuses on Britt Reid, owner-publisher of The Daily Sentinel. Armed with knowledge from his sources, cool weapons, a supercar known as the Black Beauty, and teamed with his trusty aide Kato,...

“The Green Hornet and Kato” film at Universal and Amasia Entertainment’s has landed a big franchise writer, David Koepp, known for “Jurassic Park,” the original “Mission: Impossible” film and the first “Spider-Man” film, among many more.

“The Green Hornet and Kato” was optioned and announced back in April after Amasia co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo acquired the movie franchise rights from the family of the original creator George W. Trendle in a bidding war in January.

Helfant, the former President of Marvel Studios, and Gallo will produce the film for Amasia.

David Koepp is attached as a writer on the next Indiana Jones movie and Universal’s “Bride of Frankenstein,” and he most recently wrote and directed the Kevin Bacon thriller “You Should Have Left.”

“The Green Hornet” was one of early radio’s most popular adventure shows — even predating “Superman” — before it became a set of movie...

Exclusive: Kevin Smith is reuniting with The Green Hornet in a new animated series.

The Clerks filmmaker has teamed up with kids producer WildBrain to develop a new series based on the classic superhero franchise.

Smith has long been a fan of the Green HorneT; in 2004, he was hired to write a feature film screenplay based on the character for Miramax. That project never materialized on screen – it was subsequently written by and starred Seth Rogen, directed by Michael Gondry and released in 2011.

However, the Mallrats filmmaker did turn his screenplay into a comic book series. He wrote the first four issue story arc of the series, which was published by Dynamite Entertainment in 2010.

Smith and WildBrain are developing the new animated series to target a family audience. The series will be set in contemporary times, following the adventures of a re-imagined Green Hornet and Kato – now the grown son...

Amasia Entertainment co-founders Michael A. Helfant and Bradley Gallo continue developing a new "Green Hornet" feature, based on the 1936 mask-wearing crime-fighting character from radio, pulp magazines, comic books, movies and TV series:

"The Green Hornet" debuted January 31, 1936 on radio station Wxyz Detroit, the creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker of "The Lone Ranger" fame. 

Broadcasting until 1952 on the Mutual and NBC Blue networks, the series followed the adventures of 'Britt Reid', a bored playboy whose life changes when he inherits his father's newspaper 'The Daily Sentinel' and saves the life of 'Kato', a Japanese man with martial-arts skills.

After Reid and Kato witness a brutal crime, Reid becomes a crime-fighter, using two special, non-lethal guns, with one firing 'knock-out gas' and the other producing a 'Hornet's Sting' electric shock.

Following its successful run on radio, "The Green Hornet" ran in several comic books and a 1940's movie serial from Universal.

A new movie version of ‘Green Hornet and Kato’ is now in developing after Universal has partnered up with Amasia Entertainment who now own the film franchise rights.

At this stage, details for the film are still being considered. Originally starting life as a radio show in the ’30s, the story went on to spawn the 1966 TV series starring Bruce Lee and the Michel Gondry 2011 feature film which starred Seth Rogan, Cameron Diaz and Christoph Waltz.

A masked crime-fighting superhero created in 1936 by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, Hornet is the alter ego of Britt Reid, an American newspaper publisher who dons a green mask and wields guns to fight crime. He is aided in this endeavour by his Asian valet-turned-partner Kato, with the two speeding around town in a futuristic car known as the Black Beauty.

Also in news – Secret Cinema launches Secret Sofa

Peter Cramer, president of Universal Pictures,...

Amasia Entertainment co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo continue developing the "Green Hornet and Kato" live-action feature, showcasing a female 'Kato', based on the 1936 mask-wearing crime-fighting character from radio, pulp magazines, comic books, movies and TV series:

"The Green Hornet" debuted January 31, 1936 on radio station Wxyz Detroit, the creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker of "The Lone Ranger" fame. 

Broadcasting until 1952 on the Mutual and NBC Blue networks, the series followed the adventures of 'Britt Reid', a bored playboy...

...whose life changes when he inherits his father's newspaper 'The Daily Sentinel' and saves the life of 'Kato', a Japanese man with martial-arts skills.

After Reid and Kato witness a brutal crime, Reid becomes a crime-fighter, using two special, non-lethal guns, with one firing 'knock-out gas' and the other producing a 'Hornet's Sting' electric shock.

Following its successful run on radio, "The Green Hornet" ran in several comic books...

A classic superhero is getting another shot at the big screen. It's been revealed that Universal Pictures has partnered with Amasia Entertainment for a Green Hornet reboot titled The Green Hornet and Kato. Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo, who founded Amasia, landed the movie rights to the franchise in a competitive bidding war earlier this year. Now, Universal is stepping in to help make the reboot a reality.

Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to the characters, with The Green Hornet and Kato already in development. This is one of few major superhero properties not controlled by Marvel or DC, which makes it a potentially big get. The characters were created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in the 1930s and started life as a series of radio serials before being adapted in other mediums, most notably a TV series in the 60s that starred Bruce Lee. Universal Pictures...

After engaging in a heated bidding war back in January, Universal has emerged victorious as the studio set to develop a new feature adaptation based on The Green Hornet and Kato. Universal is partnering with Amasia Entertainment for the project, which is based on heroes first created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in 1936. Arriving on the superhero scene before Superman, Green Hornet…...

Universal Pictures and Amasia Entertainment are partnering on The Green Hornet and Kato, which is currently in feature development.

Universal optioned the rights to the iconic characters, first created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in 1936, after Amasia co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo took control of the motion picture franchise rights in a highly competitive bidding war back in January.

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The Green Hornet was one of early radio’s most popular adventure shows, predating Superman, before being turned into 1940s movie serials from Universal. A 1966 TV series, distributed by 20th Century Fox TV, followed, introducing Bruce Lee (Kato) to the United States. The story...

Amasia Entertainment co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo continue developing a new "Green Hornet" feature, based on the 1936 mask-wearing crime-fighting character from radio, pulp magazines, comic books, movies and TV series:

"The Green Hornet" debuted January 31, 1936 on radio station Wxyz Detroit, the creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker of "The Lone Ranger" fame. 

Broadcasting until 1952 on the Mutual and NBC Blue networks, the series followed the adventures of 'Britt Reid', a bored playboy whose life changes when he inherits his father's newspaper 'The Daily Sentinel' and saves the life of 'Kato', a Japanese man with martial-arts skills.

After Reid and Kato witness a brutal crime, Reid becomes a crime-fighter, using two special, non-lethal guns, with one firing 'knock-out gas' and the other producing a 'Hornet's Sting' electric shock.

Following its successful run on radio, "The Green Hornet" ran in several comic books and a 1940's movie serial from Universal.

Amasia Entertainment co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo have acquired feature film rights to "The Green Hornet", based on the 1936 radio crime-fighting character and subsequent spin-off pulp magazines, comic books, movies and TV series:

"The Green Hornet" debuted January 31, 1936 on radio station Wxyz Detroit, the creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker of "The Lone Ranger" fame. Broadcasting until 1952 on the Mutual and NBC Blue networks, the series followed the adventures of 'Britt Reid', a bored playboy whose life changes when he inherits his father's newspaper 'The Daily Sentinel' and saves the life of 'Kato', a Japanese man with martial-arts skills.

After Reid and Kato witness a brutal crime, Reid becomes a crime-fighter, using two special, non-lethal guns, with one firing 'knock-out gas' and the other producing a 'Hornet's Sting' electric shock.

Following its successful run on radio,

"The Green Hornet" ran in several comic books and a 1940's movie serial from Universal.

In something of a surprise announcement, a reboot of Green Hornet is in the works. When last we heard, Paramount Pictures was developing a new take on the classic hero. The studio let the rights expire and that version is dead in the water. Now, Amasia Entertainment has won the movie rights to the franchise and they intend to develop a new big screen version of the character.

Amasia Entertainment is headed up by Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo. Helfant, it's worth noting, is the former president of Marvel Studios, a job which Kevin Feige famously held for sometime before recently being promoted to chief creative officer at Marvel. Now, Helfant will be trying to make his own superhero franchise outside the realm of the big two, Marvel and DC. Helfant had this to say about it in a statement.

"When I was a kid, The Green Hornet was one of my favorite television series.

Amasia Entertainment has won the feature film franchise rights “The Green Hornet,” nine years after Seth Rogen took on the title role for Sony Pictures.

Amasia’s co-founders Michael Helfant and Bradley Gallo made the announcement Wednesday. Helfant is a veteran Hollywood executive who was president and chief operating officer of Marvel Studios for several years starting in 2005.

“When I was a kid, ‘The Green Hornet’ was one of my favorite television series,” he said. “I loved everything about it – The Green Hornet, Kato, and of course, the Black Beauty. They were the coolest! It was personally painful to leave them all behind when I left Dimension. So I tried to option the property again at Marvel before it went over to Sony, and then again in 2017 before the rights landed at Paramount.”

“The Green Hornet” originated as a radio show during the 1930s based on the vigilante Britt Reid character,...

There was a time when it was generally perceived that iconic heroic fantasy characters such as The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, The Shadow and Buck Rogers were so popular for so long that they would be around forever. I think of that whenever somebody alleges Superman and Spider-Man will be around forever. Times change, as do our cultural predilections and venues.

Nonetheless, those heroes have become part of our cultural fabric. Most Americans (at least) who have neither read, seen, nor heard the adventures of these characters have heard their names and have some vague idea of their modus operandi. Just as DC Entertainment has kept Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman “alive” through their comic books while merchandisers and movie producers such as Michael Uslan could enhance their visibility through their more profitable endeavors.

Right now all of the retired heroic fantasy characters I mentioned above are being kept...

Disney certainly has their hands full these days. It seems like the Mouse House owns the rights to almost every successful franchise on the planet. You've got Marvel Comics characters, the world of Oz, the Muppets, Star Wars, and now The Lone Ranger.

Most Disney films do quite well at the box office, but every now and then a flop comes along. Even though I loved the movie myself, the studio considers John Carter to be a miserable failure. Westerns don't do very well in the theater these days. One would think a producer investing in a movie about a masked outlaw and his Indian companion in the Old West would work out about as well as putting the money in a few bags and throwing it into a fiery furnace. Apparently, not if the Indian happens to be Johnny Depp and the director is Pirates of the Caribbean helmsman Gore Verbinski.

Sneak Peek a new international trailer with more revealing footage from director Gore Verbinski's new take on "The Lone Ranger".

The new film stars Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as Texas lawman 'John Reid'.

"The Lone Ranger" wrapped in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in New Mexico, August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

The premise of a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto', was then adapted for pulp magazines and a popular TV series.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used for both the radio and TV series was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini...

Sneak Peek new character posters from director Gore Verbinski's "The Lone Ranger".

The new film stars Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as Texas lawman 'John Reid'.

"The Lone Ranger" wrapped in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in New Mexico, August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

The premise of a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto', was then adapted for pulp magazines and a popular TV series.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used for both the radio and TV series was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture".

Cast of the...

Sneak Peek a new international trailer supporting "The Lone Ranger" starring Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as Texas lawman 'John Reid', directed by Gore Verbinski.

Principle photography on "The Lone Ranger" wrapped in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in New Mexico, August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

The premise of a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto', was then adapted for pulp magazines and a popular TV series.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used for both the radio and TV series was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture".

Cast of...

Sneak Peek a new official trailer for "The Lone Ranger" starring Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as Texas lawman 'John Reid', directed by Gore Verbinski.

Principle photography on "The Lone Ranger" wrapped in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in New Mexico, August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

The premise of a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto', was then adapted for pulp magazines and a popular TV series.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used for both the radio and TV series was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture".

Cast of...

Sneak Peek the first official trailer for "The Lone Ranger" starring Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as Texas lawman 'John Reid', directed by Gore Verbinski.

Principle photography on "The Lone Ranger" wrapped in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in New Mexico, August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

The premise of a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto', was then adapted for pulp magazines and a popular TV series.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used for both the radio and TV series was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture".

Cast of...

Sneak Peek more new images of Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as Texas lawman 'John Reid' from the upcoming Disney, Bruckheimer western action feature "The Lone Ranger", directed by Gore Verbinski.

Principle photography on "The Lone Ranger" wrapped in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in New Mexico, August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

The premise of a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto', was then adapted for pulp magazines and a popular TV series.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used for both the radio and TV series was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell...

Sneak Peek the first official image of Johnny Depp as Native American 'Tonto' and Armie Hammer as "The Lone Ranger" from the set of the currently lensing Disney, Bruckheimer western action feature, directed by Gore Verbinski.

The motion picture started principal photography in New Mexico, February 2012.

Shooting is planned in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations in the state, to August 2012.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio, then TV series, created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, featuring a vigilante, masked 'Texas Ranger', his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto'.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the hero's name ("Who was that masked man?"), only to be told, "Why, that was the Lone Ranger!"

Theme music used was the "cavalry charge" finale of composer Gioacchino Rossini's "William Tell Overture".

The new film also stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner,...

William Fichtner has replaced Dwight Yoakam as the main villain in Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger." According to Deadline.com, Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.The cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale and Helena Bonham Carter.Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing with a May 31, 2013 release date set.Production will begin at the end of February."The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices he encounters with the aid of his...

Country music singer Dwight Yoakam has dropped out of the cast of Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger" due to scheduling conflicts.According to Deadline.com, Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.Yoakam, whose screen credits include "Sling Blade," "Panic Room" and "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada," was to have played the lead villain.The cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale and Helena Bonham Carter.Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing with a May 31, 2013 release date set.Production will begin at the end of February."The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed...

Governor Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Film Office have announced that Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' "The Lone Ranger", directed by Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp as 'Tonto', will start principal photography in New Mexico, February 2012.

Production is planned in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Shiprock and other locations around the state, filming to August 2012.

"'The Lone Ranger' is proof that New Mexico’s film industry is alive and well," said Governor Martinez.

"This administration is committed to fostering productive relationships with film studios so we can continue to offer our talented workforce and breathtaking backdrops for major productions."

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio, then TV series, created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker, featuring a masked Texas Ranger, his horse 'Silver' and 'Indian' companion 'Tonto'.

Episodes usually ended with a character lamenting the fact they never found out the...

James Badge Dale is in talks to join the cast of Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger."According to Deadline.com, Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.The cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson, Barry Pepper, Helena Bonham Carter and Dwight Yoakam.Dale, who can be seen in "Shame" and the upcoming "The Grey," would play Hammer's older brother.Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing with a May 31, 2013 release date set.Production will begin in February."The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West...

According to reports actor Johnny Depp and produce Jerry Bruckheimer have agreed to substantial upfront pay cuts regarding their involvement in Walt Disney Pictures fresh take on "The Lone Ranger", pushing the production back into the green light for a 2012 start.

Actor Armie Hammer ("The Social Network") will play "The Lone Ranger", adapting the Old West radio show/TV/comic book character, for Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski

("Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End").

Co-starring Depp as native side-kick 'Tonto', the film will be based on a screenplay by Justin Haythe ("Revolutionary Road").

Premise of the "The Lone Ranger", will set up the origins of the American Old West character, with Tonto nursing an ambushed Texas Ranger back to health.

The two men then become 'blood brothers' and inseparable partners.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio, then TV series, created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker,...

Country music singer Dwight Yoakam is in talks to play the villain in Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger."According to Variety, Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Barry Pepper and Helena Bonham Carter are also in talks to join the cast.Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.Tom Wilkinson and Ruth Wilson have also been cast.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing with shooting set to begin later this fall.Disney has set a December 21, 2012, release date."The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices...

Ruth Wilson is in talks to play the female lead in Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger."According to Variety, Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.Tom Wilkinson has also been cast.Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing. Disney has set a December 21, 2012, release date."The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices he encounters with the aid of his wise Native American companion, Tonto."The Lone Ranger" premiered on radio in 1933, leading to nearly 3,000 radio shows,...

Tom Wilkinson is in talks to join Disney.s bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger."According to Variety, Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing. Shooting is expected to begin after Depp wraps Warner's .Dark Shadows.. Disney has set a December 21, 2012 release date."The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices he encounters with the aid of his wise Native American companion, Tonto."The Lone Ranger" premiered on radio in 1933, leading to nearly 3,000...

Disney has set a December 21, 2012 release date for their bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger."According to Variety, Armie Hammer is starring as the Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing. Shooting is expected to begin after Depp wraps Warner's .Dark Shadows.. "The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices he encounters with the aid of his wise Native American companion, Tonto."The Lone Ranger" premiered on radio in 1933, leading to nearly 3,000 radio shows, while the TV series with Clayton Moore ran...

Armie Hammer has closed a deal to play the Lone Ranger in Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger," opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.According to Variety, Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing with a fall 2012 release date planned. Shooting is expected to begin after Depp wraps Warner's .Dark Shadows.. "The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices he encounters with the aid of his wise Native American companion, Tonto."The Lone Ranger" premiered on radio in 1933, leading to nearly 3,000 radio shows, while the TV series with Clayton...

Armie Hammer (The Social Network) has officially been cast in Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lone Ranger.

Hammer will star as the Lone Ranger to Johnny Depp’s Tonto.

Based on the character created by George W. Trendle in 1933, The Lone Ranger follows a masked Texas Ranger (Hammer) in the American Old West who gallops about righting injustices with the aid of his clever, laconic Native American companion, Tonto (Depp).

Gore Verbinski (Rango) will direct.

Hammer will be seen next in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts and Judi Dench.

Source: Variety...

Actor Armie Hammer ("The Social Network") will play "The Lone Ranger" in Disney's upcoming adaptation of the Old West radio show/TV/comic book character, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Gore Verbinski ("Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End").

Co-starring actor Johnny Depp as native side-kick 'Tonto', the film will be based on a screenplay by Justin Haythe ("Revolutionary Road").

For "The Lone Ranger", Bruckheimer intends to "return to those thrilling days of yesteryear", by exploiting the 'western' movie genre, similar to how mid-seventeenth century buccaneers were depicted in the "Pirates Of The Caribbean" franchise.

Premise of the "The Lone Ranger", will set up the origins of the American Old West character, with Tonto nursing an ambushed Texas Ranger back to health, followed by the two becoming blood brothers and inseparable partners.

"The Lone Ranger", was originally a radio, then TV series, created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker,...

After being rumored to be the front-runner to star in "The Lone Ranger", Armie Hammer is now attached to take the lead role. Variety reports that the star of "The Social Network" has been confirmed to play the masked Texas ranger in the Walt Disney Pictures film.

Hammer will join Johnny Depp, who will portray the ranger's sidekick Tonto. Speaking of his character, Depp previously said, "I always felt Native Americans were badly portrayed in Hollywood films over the decades. It's a real opportunity for me to give a salute to them. Tonto was a sidekick in all the Lone Ranger series. [This film] is a very different approach to that partnership. And a funny one I think."

Adapted from George W. Trendle's classic old-time radio and early television show of the same name, "The Lone Ranger" revolves around a masked Texas Ranger who survived the deathly ambush by a gang of outlaws.

Armie Hammer is in talks to play the Lone Ranger in Disney's bigscreen version of the iconic "The Lone Ranger," opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto.According to Variety, Gore Verbinski is directing from a script by Justin Haythe.Jerry Bruckheimer is producing with a fall 2012 release date planned. "The Lone Ranger" was created by George W. Trendle and developed by Fran Striker.The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West who rights the injustices he encounters with the aid of his wise Native American companion, Tonto."The Lone Ranger" premiered on radio in 1933, leading to nearly 3,000 radio shows, while the TV series with Clayton Moore ran for five seasons beginning in 1949.Many of the sayings on...

Armie Hammer (The Social Network) is in early negotiations to star as the Lone Ranger in Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lone Ranger.

Hammer will star opposite Johnny Depp (Rango) in a new film based on the character created by George W. Trendle in 1933.

The Lone Ranger follows a masked Texas Ranger (Hammer) in the American Old West who gallops about righting injustices with the aid of his clever, laconic Native American companion, Tonto (Depp).

Gore Verbinski (The Mexican) is attached to direct, with production expected to begin once Depp has completed work on Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows.

Source: Deadline...

Ryan Gosling may join "The Lone Ranger". The Wrap reports that the 30-year-old actor is in negotiations with Walt Disney Pictures to take the titular role, and play opposite Johnny Depp who will star as Tonto, the titular hero's sidekick.

Previously, George Clooney was rumored taking the title character. However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer denied the speculation, insisting that the film should find its director first. At that time, Bruckheimer said, "We haven't decided who is going to play the 'Lone Ranger' yet. Get a director first and then figure it out."

Gosling was nominated for Best Actor at 2010 Golden Globe Awards for his role in "Blue Valentine". Recently, he has completed filming comedy movie "Crazy, Stupid, Love." in which he stars as Jacob Palmer. He additionally will be seen in "The Ides of March" where he stars opposite Evan Rachel Wood.

Adapted from George W. Trendle's classic old-time radio...

This year got off to an explosive start on the comic book movie front, with "The Green Hornet" making its premiere in the first few weeks of 2011 and impressing the heck out of us here at Splash Page HQ.

I'll admit to being a bit skeptical of Michel Gondry's take on the classic pulp hero as played by funnyman Seth Rogen, but between Gondry's unique camera work, Rogen's spin on the character, and the awesome work of Jay Chou as Kato, I was a believer when the end credits began to roll. And now we have all the information on the "Green Hornet" DVD and Blu-Ray — just in case you're looking to add the film to your collection, too.

I've pasted the full "Green Hornet" DVD and Blu-Ray specs below, as provided in the official press release from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Official press release text:

Seth Rogen, Jay Chou,...

Directed by: Michel Gondry

Written by: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, George W. Trendle, Fran Striker

Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos

Britt Reid (Seth Rogan) had a horribly sad and scarred childhood.

His media mogul billionaire dad often spoke very sternly to him and once pulled the head off of one of his toys. Likely none of us can imagine the trauma and horror of having a dad who wants his son to grow up with discipline and integrity, and so we really shouldn't judge Reid too much as he quite deservedly evolves into an incredibly spoiled rich brat without a shred of decency or humanity remaining in his fat and stupid neanderthalic soul.

Reid enters into a state of permanent teenage rebellion, and is a little like a combination of Paris Hilton and The Who. He drinks constantly, throws huge expensive parties (that...

Howdy fellow movie geeks. With all the interest in bringing classic heroes to the big screen, I thought I’d begin this column dedicated to discussing classic movie serials available on DVD. And since this masked crime buster is the focus of a brand new feature film this weekend, I thought I’d start with a look at the 1940 Universal thirteen chapter movie serial The Green Hornet.

First a little history of movie serials. You younger film fans may wonder what I’m talking about. First it’s serials with an “s”, not a “c”, so I’m not talking about something you pour out of a box into a bowl and douse with milk in the mornings. Film serials started appearing in 1913. Theatre owners and studios thought this new story telling format would be a great way to get patrons returning week after week. Serials were big, thrilling, adventure...

Director: Michel Gondry Writers: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg (screenplay), George W. Trendle, Fran Striker (characters, origin) Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Edward James Olmos, Edward Furlong With roots from the Universal serials of the 1940's and the TV series of the 1960's, The Green Hornet is a buddy/vigilante superhero tale about Britt Reid (Seth Rogen), who is the son of the wealthy and respected newspaper publisher James Reid (Tom Wilkinson). Britt is a twenty-something loser playboy with little ambition to seek an identity outside of his privileged bubble...that is until James suddenly dies and Britt inherits his father's company. Through a humorous and bratty rich kid tantrum, Britt meets an employee of his father's named Kato (Jay Chou). Britt soon discovers that there is much more to Kato after he scratches the surface. As it tuns out, Kato is a mechanics genius...

After decades in development, the big screen adaptation of The Green Hornet is finally opening this weekend, starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, and Cameron Diaz. Since our review of the film won’t be available until Friday, here are a few things you may not know about the masked hero and the movie’s arduous road to your local theater.

The Green Hornet is Related to the Lone Ranger

The Green Hornet character premiered on January 31, 1936 over the airwaves of Detroit radio station Wxyz, the same outlet that started broadcasting “The Lone Ranger” three years earlier. Though both featured masked heroes and helpful sidekicks (Tonto and Kato), this series was designed to feature one white-collar man taking down political corruption during the Great Depression. Only in 1947, in an episode titled “Too Hot to Handle,” were the two heroes (both created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker) officially connected in the story.