Walt Disney Pictures 'The Lone Ranger' Ready to Start Filming January, 2012

The Walt Disney Pictures has come to financial terms with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski, Johnny Depp, and other key members of the cast and crew of "The Lone Ranger". Changes include a reduction in the budget from $250 million to approximately $200 million. Filming will still take place in New Mexico, however some additional filming will be done in Utah instead of Texas. The film's remaining supporting players are still being cast in Los Angeles, and smaller speaking roles, extras, stand-ins, and photo-doubles for the film's stars are being cast in New Mexico and Utah.

There had been a huge extras open casting call scheduled in Silver City, New Mexico on August 21, 2011. Disney pulled the plug just one week before the open casting call was to take place. The studio claimed that the budget was just too high. Director Gore Verbinski had already finalized the shooting script and signed on his lead actors, Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp - both of which would have to be paid whether the project went further or not. The Screen Actors Guild never removed "The Lone Ranger" from it's production list, leading to speculation that this delay has been nothing more that a ploy by the studio to get the budget reduced by $50 million.

In addition to cast and crew changes, other cuts include reducing the amount of CGI effects, and vendors working on the film such as special effects houses and even hotels have agreed to accept reduced guaranteed fees in order to assure that the costs of the production remain acceptable to the studio. There was also several pricey steam locomotive train sequences that were to be in the film, but have now been cancelled to further cut costs. Many top executives at other major studios said they have never heard of such widespread shared sacrifice on a major studio film release.

Talent must and be legally eligible to work in New Mexico and in the United States. Candidates must also be available for production beginning January, 2012.

The 2012 New Mexico Actors Resource Guide includes the following documents for minors and foreign talent who would like to work on for "The Lone Ranger":

• New Mexico Work Permit Requirements
• New Mexico Child Employment Entertainment Law Sheet
• New Mexico Child Labor Laws Brochure
• New Mexico Child Performer Pre-Authorization Certificate
• New Mexico Child Extras Pre-Authorization Certificate
• New Mexico Minor Trust Deduction Guidelines
• USA Child Actor Work Permit Requirements
• Immigration Work Permit Information
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application

In addition to the following New Mexico Actors Resources:

• Casting Directors List
• Talent Agents List
• General Talent Agent Information
• Acting Classes and Schools List
• Summer Performing Arts Camps
• Headshot Photographers List
• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Miscellaneous New Mexico Actors Resources
• PDF Users Guides

The 2012 New Mexico Actors Resource Guide eBook is available here.

Details on how talent can submit for acting roles, and registration information for extras can be found on the following casting post:

Walt Disney Pictures "The Lone Ranger" Casting Calls and Auditions