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WB's 'Lone Ranger' Gallops Into February Sweeps
Sat, Jan 11, 2003 03:15 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The exceedingly contemporary WB network will take a little trip back in time on Wednesday, Feb. 26 for the two-hour movie "The Lone Ranger."
Chad Michael Murray -- one of the network's "It" boys ("Gilmore Girls," "Dawson's Creek") -- stars as Luke Hartman, a 19th century law student who takes on a secret identity as the masked man after witnessing the murder of his brother. Nathaniel Arcand ("American Outlaws" ) co-stars as Tonto, in a role that is sure to be upgraded from sidekick to partner.
Of course, being The WB, "The Lone Ranger" will get a little sexing up with the addition of Tonto's sister Alope (Anita Brown) creating a love triangle between her tribe's chief and Luke. Also included is a hot tub scene that takes place in a teepee.
"We could name it 'The Long Ranger,'" Jordan Levin, The WB's president of entertainment jokes.
The project was originally a pilot for a series, and should the movie do well it could still happen. However, Levin concedes that the network's options with the cast have expired and producing a western on a regular basis is an extremely costly proposition.