There's a moment in this featurette where one of the crewmembers says that director Gore Verbinski doesn't like to shoot on a blue screen. When asked why he isn't using a blue screen, Verbinski says, "I don't know how to do that," in a way that suggests he wouldn't even consider it. I dig that. Say what you will about the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films, but Verbinski did some amazing work on the them, utilizing a great amount of practical effects and stunt work as much as he could and it looks like he's doing the same with THE LONE RANGER. Sure, you're going to have effects as needed, but it's nice to see the big budget folks at least taking some pains to do them in-camera within a real environment.
This featurette for THE LONE RANGER highlights one such setting, where Armie Hammer, who plays the titular character, rigs up to stand on a platform that's facing a 2,000 foot drop in the mountains of Utah. It may not be Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa, but that's still a hell of a drop to risk for a few shots in a movie. Shit, I used to jump out of airplanes with full combat gear and this still makes me queasy.
Rig up!:
I'm looking forward to THE LONE RANGER, being that I grew up with the character and loved the cheesy '80's pic THE LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER, which I recently rewatched. As a kid it was untouchable, but after taking that journey again, there's plenty of room for an update and I'm looking forward to seeing Verbinski's signature style on a classic western icon.
THE LONE RANGER, starring Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, Tom Wilkinson, Helena Bonham Carter, William Fichtner, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson, and Barry Pepper rides off into the sunset on July 3, 2013.
Check out the Lego poster for the film! I just helped my son build the carriage Lego from the film over the weekend and it's pretty sweet. Very cool tie-in if you ask me.