Devin Faraci claims at
Badass Digest that his most recent insider info on Jerry Bruckheimer's
The Lone Ranger had
Vince Vaughn penciled in as 'the guy they really wanted' to play the masked Texas hero opposite
Johnny Depp's Tonto in Disney's tentpole that POTC helmer
Gore Verbinski films late next summer. Vaughn... really? He's the guy that to deliver justice as the phantom Batman of the Wild West? Faraci suggests things have probably moved on from Vaughn, and thank heavens as I can't see the fit. Vaughn isn't a thesp who would lose 30 pounds for a leading role, who would be able to tackle an arduous and stunt-heavy shoot, or would be happy about Johnny Depp stealing all the scenes in whatever flamboyant take he has on the laconic Indian sidekick. A few years ago
George Clooney had been rumoured for the title role but that was probably just fancasting. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing whomever ends up straddling the white horse Silver will be mostly an unknown because Disney's won't want to spend the $15 million+ on another A-lister. So you can rule out Clooney (who wouldn't be interested anyway), DiCaprio or anyone like that. I've heard early shouts for the square-jawed
Aaron Eckhart or
Jon Hamm and I like both suggestions, and they are certainly more to the age and price bracket that is feasible. Personally, I would love to see
Ben Affleck do it and put those Summer tentpole demons to bed.