Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

The Lone Ranger, Disney’s reboot of the western that started as a radio serial in the 1930s, opened in the US earlier this summer to lukewarm critical reception and disappointing box office numbers. However, Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer don’t seem too worried about a little bad press. During a recent visit to Tokyo, the two stars could only reminisce about how fun it was to make the film. “There is no greater joy,” Hammer said of his chance to play the Texas lawman. “Putting on the mask and the massive hat and getting up on the white stallion to ride around next to Johnny kicking ass and taking names—it was great.” Depp recalled his young costar’s surprise that a paid job could also be so fun. The movie tells the story from the perspective of Tonto—a role Depp relished creating. “Like Captain Jack, or the Mad Hatter, or Ed Wood; it is playing someone who is outside,” the actor said during his first visit to Tokyo since coming to promote Dark Shadows last year. “I am interested in the outside, more than inside.” The 50-year-old actor had a hand in designing makeup for the character, basing it on the painting I am Crow by Kirby Sattler. “I saw a bird on this guy’s head, like it was part of him, like it was his spirit guide,” Depp recalled. “I was happy to have a bird on my head. You should try it sometime.”

The Lone Ranger opens in Japan Aug 2.