Key Takeaways:
– Armie Hammer debunked stereotypes about Johnny Depp, after spending seven months together in the desert while filming ‘The Lone Ranger'.
– Despite a huge budget of $215M, ‘The Lone Ranger' was a box-office disappointment earning only around $260M.
– Quentin Tarantino came into defense of the movie praising its train scene and placing it among the best films of 2013.
Debunking the Depp Myth
Having worked together in Disney's Western extravaganza ‘The Lone Ranger,' Armie Hammer got the opportunity to debunk the widely perceived eccentric image of Johnny Depp. Spending a significant amount of time with Depp, Hammer shared in an interview that he found the iconic ‘Pirates of the Caribbean' star to be a ‘pretty regular guy'.
By no means is Depp anything like how most imagine, said Hammer. He described the experience of interacting with Depp as communicating with the “coolest dude” one could know. The seven months that they spent together in the desert filming ‘The Lone Ranger' was an excellent chance for Hammer to understand Depp's real personality. Despite Depp's unusual public image, Hammer stressed that Depp is, in reality, a relatable individual with wide-ranging interests.
Box-Office Misfortune Shadows ‘The Lone Ranger'
Despite the close bond between the lead actors, ‘The Lone Ranger' was far from a successful venture. With a generous budget allocation of $215M, the movie saw a dismal box-office collection of around $260M. As per estimates, the movie left Disney with roughly $190M in losses, which was a rather heartbreaking outcome for the House of Mouse.
Quentin Tarantino's Unexpected Defense for ‘The Lone Ranger'
While the movie was widely criticized post-release, especially due to Depp's controversial role as a Native American character, it didn't manage to escape the notice of iconic film director Quentin Tarantino. The ‘Pulp Fiction' creator exhibited immense admiration for the Western flick, hailing it as one among his top films of 2013.
Tarantino, in conversation with French outlet Les Inrockuptibles elaborated on his views about the movie. He stated that despite a slack mid-section, the overall movie was extraordinary. Of particular note was the train scene, which, according to Tarantino, was ‘incredible'. Such a vehement show of support from the world-renowned director surely refutes all negative views surrounding the movie.
The overall box-office disappointment of ‘The Lone Ranger' didn't appear to hamper the spirit of camaraderie between Depp and Hammer. The former's larger-than-life image was, to a considerable extent, put to rest by Hammer's earnest experiences. Although the movie itself didn't fare as expected, it will always be remembered for the unexpected friendship that blossomed during filming and Quentin Tarantino's surprising endorsement.
Even though it missed capturing audience fascination upon its release in 2013, ‘The Lone Ranger' has opened up for a fresh lease of life and is now available for streaming on Disney Plus. With the renewed interest and streaming accessibility, maybe it's time for this Western epic to finally receive its due credit. As for Johnny Depp, the bigger takeaway might be his true personality breakdown courtesy of Armie Hammer, offering fans a chance to know the real man behind the silver screen.
