Disney has released the new teaser poster and movie stills for The Lone Ranger, Gore Verbinski’s upcoming take on the classic TV and radio Western saga.

Since Verbinski is the director behind the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and since Johnny Depp plays Tonto, I’m betting the emphasis here will be on the Lone Ranger’s “trusty Indian sidekick,” as the TV announcer used to call him. Poor Arnie Hammer.

I mean,  for gosh sakes: Tonto wears a dead bird on his head! Who’s going to be looking at the boring white guy when he’s standing next to an Indian wearing face paint and a dead bird on his head?

Even the official synopsis makes it clear that the wrong guy’s name is in the title (the story is told through Tonto’s eyes):

Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.

The trailer won’t be unveiled until tonight – Hammer makes a guest appearance on The Tonight Show. I’m guessing we should expect a fair amount of comedy with the Western, gunslinging action.

In addition to Depp and Hammer, The Lone Ranger stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter. The movie is scheduled to open July 3, 2013.

Click on a thumbnail below to see the full movie image.