Disney's "Lone Ranger" is set to be one of the studio's major 2012 contenders in the hyper-competitive Christmas season.
Starring Johnny Depp and directed by Gore Verbinski ("Pirates of the Caribbean"), the adaptation of the Western radio series and television show will ride into theaters on December 21.
"The Social Network" star Armie Hammer is in negotiations to play the masked vigilante and Depp is slated to play his Apache sidekick.
Shooting on the Jerry Bruckheimer production is scheduled to start shooting late this year.
