More details emerged today about RANGO, Gore Verbinski’s first animated feature film, for which Johnny Depp will voice the title character. “The combination of Gore’s exciting vision and the talents of [screenwriter] John Logan and Johnny Depp make RANGO a great tentpole for Paramount’s 2011 slate,” said the Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures, Rob Moore. Verbinski returned the compliment, declaring, “I am tremendously excited about the support and enthusiasm we have received at Paramount.”

Regarding the synergy between his animated protagonist and the actor he chose to portray him, Verbinski said, “Rango is an oddly charismatic character that is perfectly suited for Johnny Depp’s extraordinary abilities.” As the director of the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films, Verbinski has a proven ability to bring “oddly charismatic characters” to the screen.

“The techniques we are employing will allow us to capture and translate every aspect of Johnny’s performance, using it to drive the computer-generated character in a way that has yet to be seen in an animated feature,” Verbinski promised. “This is not a disembodied voice: Johnny Depp is Rango. We are creating something that will resonate with a broad audience and stick in the minds of kids all across the globe. The characters and circumstances are feeling buoyant and rich in humor and attitude, yet with a surprising emotional depth.”

Johnny Depp will begin work on RANGO in January 2009; the film is due in theaters in March 2011.

The Zone thanks Emma for sharing the story–you can read more about RANGO on the News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet