Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Jon Hamm, Jake Gyllenhaal and George Clooney. (Getty Images / Los Angeles Times)
With Gore Verbinski saddling up to direct “The Lone Ranger” for Disney, and his “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp already attached as Tonto, the question is, who will play the Masked Man? Hero Complex has some suggestions for Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Vote and let us know whom you’d like to see yelling, “Hi-ho, Silver!“:
Hugh Jackman: As Wolverine, Jackman channeled old-school laconic tough guys, and as a cattle driver in “Australia,” he honed his horseman skills. Plus, the world may be finally ready for another singing cowboy.
Jon Hamm: Born with a jaw line for period movies, Hamm is due for a franchise role. But can we really trust Don Draper to lasso the bad guys?
George Clooney: At nearly 50, Clooney may be too senior for the part, but “The Lone Ranger” is the ultimate buddy picture, and Clooney and Depp would make some very entertaining buddies.
Ryan Reynolds: If Verbinski is aiming for a lighter take, the star of “The Proposal” and “Just Friends” has the comic chops. But with “Green Lantern” and now a possible Deadpool movie in the works, Reynolds may have reached his mask-franchise quota.
Jake Gyllenhaal: We know he looks good in a Stetson, thanks to “Brokeback Mountain,” and is a favorite of his “Prince of Persia” producer Bruckheimer. But action-movie newbie Gyllenhaal was blamed for “Persia’s” less than stellar stateside box office, and may not be the right cowboy for an Americana tent-pole movie.
Ryan Gosling: The star of “Half Nelson” and “Lars and the Real Girl” excels at weirdo and sociopath roles, which makes him a dark horse to play the ultimate good guy. But maybe that’s just the kind of edge a 21st century cinema ranger needs.
– Rebecca Keegan
RECENT AND RELATED
Is Clooney-Depp the team for “Lone Ranger”?
Depp: “There’s a crack in my enthusiasm” for “Pirates” 4
Top 10 sidekicks: Tonto is No. 4, so who’s No. 1?
Is the “Pirates” franchise sailing into rough waters?
Johnny Depp picks a poison and explains why
Keith Richards talks (like a pirate) about pal Depp
Surprised author finds himself aboard “Pirates” ship
A look back at Tim Burton’s work with Johnny Depp
Comments
Print
Read Later
Our legion of super contributors is led by Hero Complex editor Gina McIntyre and 
Jamie Bamber! He has the looks and the style for it!
JUDE LAW!!!!
Jack Huston. (Currently in "Boardwalk Empire.") Even he he isn't the guy, just keep your eye on him. Another great from the Huston clan.
Jon Hamm!
Peter O'Toole!!!
Jeremy Renner. Has the acting chops and isn't already over-exposed. Modestly attractive with a great body.
I hate to say it, but Clooney and Depp would be perfect. Clooney has the methodical voice of the The Lone Ranger and Depp would be perfect for Tonto's one liners keemosabe!
People are oppose to change and that is part of the problem. I voted for George Clooney, he looks like el Zorro and is as close to the Lone Ranger as close, physically speaking, as one can get. As his Tonto, there should be an American native playing the part. We can't go backwards and at least in this instance, American indians should play the part.
Depp is 1/2 Cherokee Indian
Jon Hammwould be the perfect choice.
Can you vote none of the above!!!!!
Any of these picks that actually get the role…franchise killer
keep Looking
I think Jon Hamm deserves his chance to shine and get a franchise role. He should get the role!
WHOEVER they choose, I just hope the producers keep it fixed in the frontal lobe of their Hollyweird brains… that they're NOT making a film titles "The "Gay" Blade"!
The Lone Ranger needs to be a Texan. There are many born and raised Texan actors to chose from: Jensen Ackles of Supernatural, Matt Bomer of White Collar, Matthew McConaughey, and as long as we are thinking of over the hill actors for an origin story there is of course Walker Texas Ranger himself Chuck Norris.
It's a really long shot, but Jensen Ackles would be great for this role. He's a great actor, he's from Texas and he just looks the part.
I gotta say either Hugh Jackman or Jake Gyllenhaal!! They're both AWESOMAZING actors and both ABSOLUTELY AND TOTALLY sexy!!!!!!!!
Viggo Mortensen. Mortensen and Depp together would be a perfect match. Mortensen is an awesome cowboy; Hidalgo, Appaloosa.
Jon Hamm all the way! He got the perfect physic and the acting chops!
Viggo could haven been good but he's way too old now.
Hamm's solid; so is Viggio. But to say Clooney is too old?
Darn glad you weren't around when an old man named Bogart was still going strong.
50 years old is young these days, as long as you've got your goods.
Hugh Jackman doesn't have time. He is doing Wolverine next year. My next pick would be Ryan Reynolds, don't know his schedule, but his style would be perfect — he isn't overpowering like some, but gets the job done quick and lethal…
What about someone young like Channing Tatum? too young?
How about Robert Downey Jr?
Jon Hamm has the old Hollywood swagger and apearance as does Clooney. They both can pull off the "comedic simple moralistic boob unaware of his follies", cloonie; brother where for art thou, leatherheads, and Hamm, just watch his SNL guest spots. But Hamm is younger (38) and can believebly carry a succesfull franchise longer.
Jon Hamm!
Right at "nearly 50" George Clooney is too old and at "nearly 50" (48 in June), Johnny Depp is just right? It's not their age, just how well they are wearing it.
Don't get me wrong, Clooney is still perfect.
i think keith richards should play the lone ranger. if you are going to ask me to chose, don't select whom to chose from plain and simple. journalism is nutral. there is no other music legend greater than the rolling stones and more particular then keith richards and mick jagger. THESE TWO MEN ARE SUPERSTARS IN THE ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC BUSINESS. NOBODY COMES CLOSE TO THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS. LOOK AT THEIR MUSIC. IT SPEAKS FOR IT'S SELF. THE TWO HAVE WRITTEN SO MANY HITS. I LAUGH WHEN I SEE SOMEONE ELSE NAME AT THE TOP. IT IS A JOKE. RICHARDS AND JAGGER ARE AT THE TOP SO FAR AHEAD OF THE REST NO ONE WILL EVER CATCH THEM. RICHARDS HAS THAT LOOK AND CHARACTER OF A GOOD ACTOR.
Anyone but George Clooney, who is overrated as a sex-symbol or an A-list actor. Ewww!
Oh I agree. Viggo Mortensen is the perfect guy!
Bill Paxton in his 90's persona. Think of the laughs they would have!