Tom Wilkinson Joins The Lone Ranger

Variety is reporting that Tom Wilkinson has joined The Lone Ranger, a film which already includes Johnny Depp as Toto and Armie Hammer as the Ranger. No specifics were given about the role aside from that fact that he will play a railroad tycoon in the Old West. Many suspect that it will be a villain role although nothing is confirmed yet.

Wilkinson is an extremely talented character actor who really nails the menacing bad guy role in films. He’s a two time Academy Award nominee and has given fantastic performances in films like Michael Clayton, RocknRolla and In The Bedroom, among others. If he will indeed be playing the villain in The Lone Ranger, then I’m all for it. Great choice!

While the cast is shaping up nicely for the latest from director Gore Verbinski, the script has me worried. Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio, and Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) are on writing duty. I’m worried because Elliot and Rossio are the men responsible for the Pirates of the Caribbean series, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, until you watch At World’s End and On Stranger Tides. Simply put, I don’t have much faith in them.

Aside from that though, the film looks promising and with Verbinski behind the camera and Depp and Hammer leading the way, this one will likely turn out to be entertaining, at the very least. Production will begin this fall with a December 21, 2012 release date.