By now, you've probably heard that Johnny Depp is attached to star in Jerry Bruckheimer's 'The Lone Ranger' reboot -- but he's not playing the titular hero. Instead, the convention-flouting actor, who has said he has Cherokee and Navajo blood in his heritage, is taking on the role of the Ranger's Native American sidekick Tonto.With the 'Ranger' rumor mill heating up, a "guy who hears reliable things" now tells Hollywood Elsewhere that Matthew McConaughey is the leading candidate to be Depp's mask-wearing "kemosabe." Though McConaughey hasn't headlined an action flick since the 2005 flop 'Sahara,' his casting would seem to fit the light vibe of the film, which is being produced by Bruckheimer and written by 'Pirates of the Caribbean' scribes Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot.
Can't picture the Ranger as a washboard-abbed surfer dude? Here are some other actors we'd like to see saddle up for the role. -- By Tom DiChiara
Who Should Be the Ranger'?
Matthew McConaughey
Though the 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' star hasn't headlined an action flick since the 2005 flop 'Sahara,' his buff frame and adeptness at physical comedy could make him the perfect hero in what is likely to be a comedy-action take on 'The Ranger.'
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Christian Bale
Before the McConaughey rumors surfaced, Bale was thought to be the frontrunner. He proved believable as a frontier badass in the Western '3:10 to Yuma' -- and he's certainly got what it takes to carry a franchise (see 'The Dark Knight,' 'Terminator Salvation). But a third franchise could be too much, plus the lighter tone of the material might not play to Bale's brooding strengths.
Christian Bale
Orlando Bloom
Sure, he's a bit boyish to play the battle-scarred Ranger. But the Bloom-Depp pairing worked wonders in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' -- who's to say it wouldn't work again?
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Owen Wilson
He brought the funny as a quick-witted, quick-drawing gunslinger in the anachronistic Westerns 'Shanghai Noon' and 'Shanghai Knights' -- and he could definitely do the same here.
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Brad Pitt
He won raves for his turn as outlaw Jesse James in the amply titled 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.' And, though that film was heavy on the drama and light on the action -- Pitt's proven he can handle everything from action to drama to comedy with equal prowess.
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Robert Downey Jr.
Like Pitt, Downey can tackle any genre with ease -- and has shown to be especially expert at delivering the wry, deadpan one-liner. But like Bale, he already has one definite and another potential franchise on his hands with 'Iron Man' and 'Sherlock Holmes.' Still, we'd watch RDJ in pretty much anything. Bring it on.
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Kiefer Sutherland
We doubt we'll ever see the '24' badass as the Ranger, but we can dream. Just the thought of Jack Bauer beating some sense into Wild West baddies has us cracking up. Plus, it'd be fun to count the number of times he screams, "Dammit, Tonto!"
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Reader Comments (6)
Maggie Mae at 3:32PM on May 4th 2009
Absolutely "no" to Mathew Mconaughey as the "Ranger." He sucks in his latest movies.
Johnny Depp deserves a better quality actor as a co-actor. Brad Pitt is an excellent choice, just look at Jesse James again.
tdmac at 11:24PM on May 6th 2009
YUCK! Matthew McWhatTheHay? Gah-ross.
Sooo, excited to hear about The Lone Ranger coming to film. BUT horrified upon hearing rumors of Matthew McConaughey!
PLEASE!!! Consider Viggo Mortenson (or SOMEone else)...save your film!
No McConaughey! He's fun repellent!
lola at 2:11PM on May 31st 2009
Oh yea Viggo he would be great, good choice!!!!!
Mike at 6:48PM on May 27th 2009
A long time Ranger fan here. I think Matt is not all that bad. But what 'bout Christian Bale? Or James Marsden? Depp is still a strange choice for Tonto, but he is a fabulous actor.
And let Michael Horse do a cameo in this new movie!
lola at 2:10PM on May 31st 2009
Oh good grief! No Way Matthew!!!! And forget Christian Bale. What about Dougray Scott? There's so many choices...
dondi at 12:35PM on Aug 4th 2009
Is there some reason a Native American isnt going to play the part of Tonto? Its an affront to Native Americans everywhere. Although I do like J.D. please give the supporting role to a N.A.. As for the Ranger Brad Pitt seems like he could do the role justice..........Hi Yo Silver I cant wait