Dwight Yoakam Will Giddy-Up As The Villain In The 'Lone Ranger'

Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale & Helena Bonham Carter Also Getting Ready To Saddle Up

If there is one thing that country musician and actor Dwight Yoakam does well, its act like an asshole and sleazebag. Billy Bob Thornton knew this when he cast him as the memorably repulsive Doyle Hargraves in "Sling Blade" and David Fincher realized his presence alone was worth more than pages of dialogue when he tasked Yoakam to play the unpredictable and violent Raoul. He can also be wryly funny as he's displayed in "Crank" and "Wedding Crashers" but he's gearing up for this biggest movie yet.

Yoakam will put on the spurs and saddle up to play Butch Cavendish in "Lone Ranger" starring Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson and Ruth Wilson. Reprising the role played by Glenn Strange in the show, Yoakam will lead his band of baddies who rob and kill across the Old West. It's a hand-in-glove type role and one Yoakam will take to like a duck in water, so we're fully on board. Meanwhile, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale and Helena Bonham Carter are also circling roles in the tentpole film.

Pepper, who was last seen wearing an outrageous accent in "The Kennedys" and bad teeth in "True Grit," will play Captain J. Fuller the leader of the seventh calvary. Dale, who has leaped from acclaimed shows like "Rubicon" and "The Pacific" into roles in the forthcoming "World War Z" and "The Grey," will play the Lone Ranger's older brother Dan Reid, the leader of the Texas Rangers. Finally, Carter -- whose talks are still early -- will reach into her closet filled with corsets, lace and veils to play the madam of a brothel. Depp and Carter are currently filming "Dark Shadows" together and considering the tight relationship they likely have, we don't see why her casting would fall through.

Moan as we do about Depp's continuing penchant for bland blockbuster paycheck gigs, this is actually putting forth a pretty solid cast and the idea of Depp playing Tonto is an intriguing one. Gore Verbinski, helmer of three 'Pirates Of the Caribbean' movies is directing and filming will get under way this fall. The film will hit theaters on December 21, 2012. [Variety]