Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy scripting duo of Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot are currently developing a new screenplay to bring iconic western hero The Lone Ranger back to the silver screen. Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer is reportedly the man in charge of the project.
The character originated on radio in the 1930s and made a successfully translation to television in the 1950s with Clayton Moore in the title role. Unfortunately, the last two attempts at reviving the character – 1981’s The Legend Of the Lone Ranger and the 2003 TV movie/series pilot The Lone Ranger featuring himbo Chad Michael Murray – flopped badly.
While trying to not don a tinfoil hat, I find the timing of this revival attempt a bit interesting. Created by Fran Striker, the Lone Ranger was later revealed to be the grand uncle of another Striker creation- the 1930s crimefighter The Green Hornet, a character who is currently being developed by actor/writer Seth Rogen for a big screen adventure for Summer 2009 for Columbia Pictures. Is Bruckheimer trying to create some cross-franchise synergy?
