According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jerry Bruckheimer’s update of The Lone Ranger is about to acquire a new writer–Justin Haythe, who wrote the screenplay for Revolutionary Road. Haythe will take the reins from Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, the Pirates of the Caribbean writers who did the early development of the script. Haythe also wrote the screenplay for the remake of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, the McG project which Disney abruptly canceled after Rich Ross succeeded Dick Cook last fall, so apparently Haythe has an affinity for action-adventure as well as drama.

The casting of Johnny Depp as Tonto in The Lone Ranger was announced in September 2008, but there has been little development on the project since then. Reports that George Clooney would be playing the Ranger or that Mike Newell would direct were later debunked as Internet rumors with no foundation. Notes The Hollywood Reporter, “Haythe’s involvement is the first sign of life on the project since [Johnny’s casting], which could indicate that the franchise potential of the material is a high priority for the new Disney regime.”

The Zone thanks Theresa for the news; you can read more about The Lone Ranger on the Zone’s News & Views forum.