George Clooney will be a bold man if he takes on the title role of a new big-screen version of The Long Ranger. Remember what happened last time he donned a mask?

It resulted in one of the biggest jokes of a movie Hollywood has ever produced, Batman and Robin (1997).

Clooney wasn't all to blame for that tripe, but he certainly didn't help, neither did the now-infamous nipples on his batsuit.

But the 45-year-old grey-haired one is a strong rumour to play the 19th century Texas Ranger, with Ain't It Cool saying Clooney has shown great interest in the role.




It comes hot on the heels of news Johnny Depp is almost a lock for Tonto, the American Indian who nurses The Lone Ranger back to health after he and his crew are ambushed by outlaws. Tonto, of course, becomes The Lone Ranger's faithful sidekick.

Not sure who's is going to play Silver, the Ranger's horse, though.

While The Lone Ranger enjoyed a successful run as a series on radio in the 1930s and then on television in the '50s, the big-screen hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the character.

The last time he appeared in cinemas it was only very briefly after The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) was panned by critics as well as the general movie going public, resulting in it earning just $12mill at the US box office. Less than what it cost to make.




Producers had been trying to cash in on the emergence of the blockbuster, and larger than life figures such as Superman, Indiana Jones and the Star Wars gang, but failed miserably.

The film's tag line, `The Untold Story of the Man Behind the Mask and the Legend Behind the Man', was just plain confusing.

It starred Klinton Spilsbury, who's voice through the entire movie had to be dubbed by another actor, and who never made another film.

The Lone Ranger certainly needs a hit. Clooney and Depp would be an interesting mix. If any two could make it work it's these two charasmatic stars. But, do we really need another Long Ranger adaptation?