Another Friday afternoon brings yet another rumor from the Disney studios about the fate of the Jerry Bruckheimer-Gore Verbinski Lone Ranger reboot; fortunately, after the shocking mid-August announcement that Disney was shutting down production on the film, the official leaks have grown steadily more positive. Now Mike Fleming at Deadline.com reports that Disney is likely to have its budget stalemate resolved “by next week, and can start rehiring crew so that the picture will be ready to begin production in January or February.” That’s great news! Fleming has consistently had the inside track on this story, so we will hope his sources are as good as ever.

If Lone Ranger can’t start shooting until early next year, how will that affect its personnel and release date? Will Verbinski be able to keep his intriguing cast intact? “How that late start impacts the December 21, 2012 release date remains to be seen,” Fleming writes, “but Johnny Depp will get to play Tonto (Disney wouldn’t make the movie without him), and Armie Hammer will be back in as the title character. Ruth Wilson, the scene-stealing killer from Idris Elba’s British cop series Luther, is also expected back as the female lead.” We hope the other announced supporting players will also be able to continue with their roles.

The Zone thanks Chocolat for sharing the news; you can read much more about Lone Ranger on the Zone’s News & Views forum. Mike Fleming’s article is available HERE.