Johnny Depp: No Tonto

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

Jay Silverheels
Grand River First Nation

HOLLYWOOD - According to Deadlinehollywood.com, Walt Disney Studios has pulled the plug on the big-screen adaptation of "The Lone Ranger." Johnny Depp had been cast to be the Lone Ranger's sidekick Tonto.

Concerning whether or not he is American Indian, Depp told "Entertainment Weekly" in May:

“I guess I have some Native American somewhere down the line. My great grandmother was quite a bit of Native American, she grew up Cherokee or maybe Creek Indian. Makes sense in terms of coming from Kentucky, which is rife with Cherokee and Creek.”

It is unclear as to why Walt Disney Studios is halting the movie at this time, but it is reported that Jerry Bruckheimer, producer, was asked to slash the movie's budget from $250 million down to $200 million. Sources in Hollywood said Depp was to be paid $20 million to portray Tonto.

The movie was to begin production in October in New Mexico and was to be released on December 21, 2012.

The Lone Ranger theme, with a masked-man on a white horse and an American Indian companion, Tonto, has played on radio, television and on the big screen. At least three people portrayed Tonto in the television series. The best known of those who played Tonto to viewers was Jay Silverheels, who was born on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. Silverheels passed away in 1980.

posted August 15, 2011 2:00 pm edt