Earlier this week, when the wild new trailer for Gore Verbinski’s big-screen “The Lone Ranger” premiered online, we noticed a curious credit – as the film’s composer, the trailer listed workhorse (and Disney favorite) Hans Zimmer instead of the previously announced Jack White. We didn’t want to jump the gun and announce White’s removal, since Zimmer has had a history of collaborating with other musicians (most recently with Rodrigo y Gabriela on "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"). But alas, our original inclination was correct – Jack White is off “The Lone Ranger,” and Hans Zimmer is on.
According to an official statement from Disney: “Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, the musical mastermind behind Disney’s and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ has signed on to compose the score for ‘The Lone Ranger.’ Jack White, who had originally been contemplated to score and has contributed several pieces of music to the production, was logistically unavailable due to scheduling conflicts that arose when the film’s release moved to July of 2013.”
While it's disappointing we won't get a full on score from the White Stripes frontman, whose bluesy, folks-rooted style seems perfectly oriented for the material, it does at least sound like some of White’s pieces will survive into the final film, undoubtedly giving this already unique western a bit of added flair. As for Zimmer, he's an easy fit into the project. He and Verbinski have had a wonderful working relationship, with Zimmer’s scores to the director’s “The Weather Man” and “Rango” remaining career highlights. The picture will be Zimmer's second summer blockbuster in 2013, as he's also tuning up "Man of Steel," but that just means it's more for us to enjoy.
"The Lone Ranger" opens on July 3, 2013.