That's just the sort of guy he is!
Though it has been on the back-burner for awhile, Johnny Depp is still signed on to star in the Disney adaptation of the of The Lone Ranger. The role opposite Johnny remains vacant as well, though there have been some who have almost made the cut. Still, just because the film hasn't started production yet, it doesn't mean Johnny hasn't thought about it. In fact, he's given the film a great deal of consideration and the first thing he wants to change in his version is the relationship between the Lone Ranger and his trusted sidekick. He explains:
“I remember watching it as a kid, with Jay Silverheels and Clayton Moore, and going: ‘Why is the f—ing Lone Ranger telling Tonto what to do?’ I liked Tonto, even at that tender age, and knew Tonto was getting the unpleasant end of the stick here. That’s stuck with me. And when the idea came up [for the movie], I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way try to — ‘eliminate’ isn’t possible — but reinvent the relationship, to attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans, not only in The Lone Ranger, but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema, and turn it on its head.”
That's a very good point, one we bet the folks at Disney were all too thrilled to hear.
The issue hits a bit close to home for Johnny as he reveals that he's actually part Native American, possibly "Cherokee or maybe Creek," derived from his great grandmother.
We're pleased to see him have a bit of pride in his heritage! That's something everyone should have! Kudos!
[Image via WENN.]
Tags: adaptation, casting, disney, native american, production, relationship, the lone ranger, tonto
