The Lone Ranger rides again — but who should wear the mask?

With Gore Verbinski saddling up to direct “The Lone Ranger” for Disney, and his “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp already attached as Tonto, the question is, who will play the Masked Man? Hero Complex has some suggestions for Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Vote and let us know whom you’d like to see yelling, “Hi-ho, Silver!“:
Hugh Jackman: As Wolverine, Jackman channeled old-school laconic tough guys, and as a cattle driver in “Australia,” he honed his horseman skills. Plus, the world may be finally ready for another singing cowboy.
Jon Hamm: Born with a jaw line for period movies, Hamm is due for a franchise role. But can we really trust Don Draper to lasso the bad guys?
George Clooney: At nearly 50, Clooney may be too senior for the part, but “The Lone Ranger” is the ultimate buddy picture, and Clooney and Depp would make some very entertaining buddies.
Ryan Reynolds: If Verbinski is aiming for a lighter take, the star of “The Proposal” and “Just Friends” has the comic chops. But with “Green Lantern” and now a possible Deadpool movie in the works, Reynolds may have reached his mask-franchise quota.
Jake Gyllenhaal: We know he looks good in a Stetson, thanks to “Brokeback Mountain,” and is a favorite of his “Prince of Persia” producer Bruckheimer. But action-movie newbie Gyllenhaal was blamed for “Persia’s” less than stellar stateside box office, and may not be the right cowboy for an Americana tent-pole movie.
Ryan Gosling: The star of “Half Nelson” and “Lars and the Real Girl” excels at weirdo and sociopath roles, which makes him a dark horse to play the ultimate good guy. But maybe that’s just the kind of edge a 21st century cinema ranger needs.
– Rebecca Keegan