Disney stops production on Johnny Depp's "Lone Ranger"

One of the biggest films on Walt Disney Studios' slate -- starring perhaps its most important actor -- has come to a screeching halt, TheWrap has confirmed.

Disney has stopped pre-production on "The Lone Ranger," which was -- or is -- to star "Pirates of the Caribbean" topliner Johnny Depp as Tonto.

An individual close to the project told TheWrap Friday night that everyone involved with the movie is "talking about next steps."

Another speculated that the decision could be a ploy on the studio's part to reduce the budget.

That's not entirely unlikely, as studio head Rich Ross entered the job with a mandate to cut costs.

There are all kinds of reasons Disney would tread gently with this: In addition to the Depp heft, there's Jerry Bruckheimer's producer heft and Gore Verbinski's director heft.

The studio does not want to anger Depp, who stars in its most successful franchise -- and whose "Alice in Wonderland" grossed more than $1 billion worldwide for the studio. Disney would like Depp to make a fifth "Pirates."

Verbinski, who is attached to direct "The Lone Ranger," directed Depp in "Rango" and in three "Pirates" films. Bruckheimer produced the "Pirates" movies.

Additionally, there's the up-and-coming heft of Armie Hammer, the compelling actor who played twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss in "The Social Network" and plays Prince Andrew Alcott in Relativity's upcoming "Snow White" project.

The movie was set to begin production this October in New Mexico.

"The Lone Ranger" had been given a December 21, 2012, release date. But that date has suddenly grown more competitive. This week, Paramount announced that "World War Z," its giant zombie picture starring Brad Pitt, will be released that day.

Deadline first reported the news.