The Lone Ranger
| Budget: $250 million (estimated) | Financed by: Disney |
|---|---|
| Domestic Gross: $89,302,115 | Domestic Distributor: Disney |
| Overseas Gross: $171,200,000 | Directed by: Gore Verbinski |
Starring: Johnny Depp Armie Hammer | Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer |
The Lone Ranger was set to go before the cameras in the fall of 2011, but Disney stopped the project from moving forward when the budget escalated to an estimated $260 - $275 million. Parts of the screenplay were scaled back, some expensive vfx sequences removed and salaries cut and deferred. Disney then greenlit the production with a reduced, but still gargantuan $215 million budget. Costs began to rise again, when production went over schedule from weather related damage to sets, injured stuntmen and a fatality from a crew member drowning — which resulted in the Cal OSHA fining Disney $60,000 for safety violations. The estimated budget grew to at least $250 million.
Along with the irresponsible budget, Disney threw more cash away at a global marketing blitz reported to be $150 million. Additional exposure came from numerous cross promotional tie-ins, from Subway, Lego, NECA, Theodora & Callum, Will Leather Goods, Kawasaki and many more. And for The Lone Ranger completist, you can waste your money on a Sterling Silver Lone Ranger Star Sherriff Badge Cufflinks by Robin Rotenier for about $500.
Disney positioned the hopeful new franchise over the July 4th holiday and it was expected to pull in over $60 million during the 5-day frame. The Lone Ranger bowed against Despicable Me 2 and the modest wide release of Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain. Critics were very unkind to the picture and it came in below expectations with $29,210,849 for the weekend and $48,715,010 over the 5-day frame — miles behind Despicable Me 2 which led the charts. The Lone Ranger plummeted 60.6% in its second weekend to $11,506,100 which ended its chances at breaking out. It declined 61.9% in its third weekend to $4,380,047 and continued to post large weekly declines. The domestic run ended with $89,302,115.
Overseas numbers were $171.2 million, solid numbers for a western, but deadly numbers for a western with about $400 million in production costs and marketing behind it. In its quarter financial report, Disney expected to take a $190 million write-down on The Lone Ranger. The potential franchise was killed off and star in grooming Armie Hammer suffered a major setback. A few months after The Lone Ranger flopped, Disney ended its long term relationship with producer Jerry Bruckheimer after a string of expensive duds like Prince of Persia, Sorcerer’s Apprentice and G-Force.