Johnny Depp on The Lone Ranger

Entertainment Weekly talked to Johnny Depp about playing Tonto in the upcoming Gore Verbinski-directed The Lone Ranger, to be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

"I think it's going to be good, when we have a chance to put it up on its feet," Depp said. "What we've got so far screenplay-wise is really great, really funny."

Depp, who is part Cherokee, added that the Tonto character will be different in the feature film. "I always felt Native Americans were badly portrayed in Hollywood films over the decades. It's a real opportunity for me to give a salute to them. Tonto was a sidekick in all the Lone Ranger series. [This film] is a very different approach to that partnership. And a funny one I think."

It has not yet been announced who will play the title role and no release date has been set.