LONE RANGER was planned as werewolf story, budget ballooned over CGI

Earlier we reported that Disney had stopped production on The Lone Ranger, and now we know a bit why. The films budget had ballooned to $250 million dollars! It was to be directed by Gore Verbinski and star Armie Hammer as the titular character and Johnny Depp as Tonto. We were aware of the out of control budget, but did not know that the film was planned as an "Indian-spirituality werewolf movie." 

Hollywood-Elsewhere blames that the effects-heavy CG was to blame. They also reported that a draft of Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio's script from 3/29/09 showed the storyline included a "Native American wolfbeast tearing victims apart and leaving a bloody mess." The story was also said to focus more on Tonto, and deal with Native American occult and spirituality aspects along with werewolves and tons of special effects.

This seems odd seeing as how the film was to be titled The Lone Ranger. After Cowboys & Aliens performed poorly at the box office, I can understand why Disney did not want to gamble on the film. Even with Depp in the spotlight, it would be hard when it was set to be released Dec. 21, 2012, and would have to face The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opens Dec. 14, and the Brad Pitt-starrer World War Z, which was just slated for Dec. 21. I for one am glad that Disney decided against this project, it does not seem like a smart move at this time. 

What are your thoughts?