THE LONE RANGER (Back in Develpoment)

• THE LONE RANGER GETS BACK ON TRACK

The Lone Ranger is out of danger. After Disney haltedproduction due to its ballooning budget, enough cost cuts have now been made toget the endangered pic back on track.

Deadline reports that "the studio is likely to haveeverything resolved by next week, and can start rehiring crew so that thepicture will be ready to begin production in January or February. How that latestart impacts the December 21, 2012 release date remains to be seen."

Johnny Depp remains set to play Tonto opposite Armie Hammerin the title role, while Ruth Wilson is expected to remain aboard as the femalelead. Gore Verbinski will direct and Jerry Bruckheimer will produce.

Deadline claims the $250+ million budget was trimmed to amore acceptable $215 million by rejiggering Depp, Bruckheimer and Verbinski'ssizable deals and cutting the length of the shoot.