Last Week, Armie Hammer was reportedly in talks to play the Lone Ranger, but at a Pirates press conference today, Jerry Bruckheimer neither confirmed nor denied any such news, saying, "Nothing new yet, on the casting.  We're in the process of meeting people right now.  So, just starting for The Lone Ranger."

That doesn't necessarily mean that Hammer is not negotiating to play the hero, as a mega-producer like Bruckheimer is very unlikely comment either way until a deal is closed, on the contingency that talks could stall.

Bruckheimer went on to differentiate it from the Pirates series, explaining, "I think it'll have its own tone.  It's going to have a whole different kind of feel to it than what we've done in the past, but it'll be special because Johnny's in it."  The producer's glowing appraisal of his star continued with the coy compliment,  "He's got a real interesting bead on the character of Tonto."

As he was on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Depp is very much involved in the film's development, contributing to the story currently being crafted by screenwriter Justin Haythe.  He also distanced the new project from the existing franchise, saying that, based on their story and script meetings, it'll be markedly different, "in terms of character and in terms of story." 

Having established such a distinction, Depp also conceded, "I suppose tonally there's a relationship because there's a kind of fascination with the absurd that's involved in The Lone Ranger, as well.  Some semblance of irreverence.  But you need that right?  You gotta have that."

The Lone Ranger will be Gore Verbinski's second western, following this spring's Rango, to which Johnny Depp lent his voice as the eponymous chameleon.  The film is tentatively set for release in 2014.  Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, meanwhile, is directed by franchise newcomer Rob Marshall and hits theaters in 2D and 3D on May 20th.