The Lone Ranger has not even been released to the general public yet. But, like Man of Steel, The Avengers and pretty much every other big budget film, it already has a sequel in mind. To which end, star Armie Hammer has confirmed that he’s pretty much contractually obligated to take on a second film, or more, if The Lone Ranger does well.
Both Hammer and his female lead Ruth Wilson have confirmed that they are set to appear in a trilogy, or more, of films. Not so with Johnny Depp, who signed a one-off contract and thus would not have to appear in the films … unless, we presume, they upped his salary. Depp would be into another Lone Ranger, though, saying ‘If they started talking sequel on this I’d be ready to go in a second‘. Of course he would.
This is not surprising news for a big budget film now. Admittedly, I have yet to see The Lone Ranger, so there’s little telling how open the ending could be. But the idea of the film bothered me from the get-go, what with the casting of the decidedly non-Native American Depp as Tonto. I do dig Armie Hammer and would like to see him anchor his own franchise though. I like Depp too, for that matter, even if he does seem to be rehashing old characters nowadays.
Honestly, it’s the sequel mentality of Hollywood that bothers me. No film seems to be able to stand on its own any more – there has to be plans for another two, three, or even four. I would love to see a solid single feature with no open ending, no plans for another. Just a really good movie. Where are the really good movies?
 The Lone Ranger opens July 3, when we all get to decide if that masked man will ride again.
