THE LONE RANGER starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer gets a release date

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer are set to hit the trail in Disney's new version of The Lone Ranger on December 21, 2012.  The film is directed by Gore Verbinski and stars Hammer and the title character and Depp as Tonto. The film takes place in 1869 and follows "a Texas Ranger, left for dead, is saved by the Commanche Tonto, who gives his new partner the masked identity of Lone Ranger."  The script was written by Justin Haythe. Filming begins later this year and is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

2012 is going to have a very hot and heavy holiday season even though it will be cold outside. Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is set for release on December 14, 2012 for Warner Bros. Ang Lee's Life of Pi opens on December 21, along with Universal's untitled Judd Apatow film as well as Relativity Media's Hunter-Killer. There will most likely be some give and take and dates will probably be shifted.  

I know that this film has been receiving mixed thoughts from fans, but I am glad to see Depp and Hammer in this film. Verbinski is a great director and I think this will be an interesting reintroduction to the story for audiences that have never experienced it. What are your thoughts on this news?