The saga of whether The Lone Ranger will be made or won’t be made may finally be coming to an end. Deadline is reporting Disney will announce next week that Disney will make the big budget western.

First, Disney shut down production on the film because it was too damned expensive. A $250 million western? Really? Then director Gore Verbinski said they were working on cutting down the budget.

Now it looks like Disney is accepting a $215 million budget for the project. Still damned expensive for a western, but $35 isn’t chump change.

All the principals are returning to the production: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Ruth Wilson, Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski.

Some actors may not be able to return because production will be pushed back to the beginning of 2012, which may conflict with some schedules. Those actors are: Tom Wilkinson, Dwight Yoakam, Helena Bonham Carter, Barry Pepper and James Badge Dale.

The film was originally slated for December 21, 2012 and Disney wanted a winter blockbuster, but that’s probably not going to happen. Expect the film in Summer 2013. [Deadline via The Film Stage]

disney, johnny depp, the lone ranger