Johnny Depp surprised fans on Friday (June 21), appearing at a special screening of his newest film The Lone Ranger in Lawton, Oklahoma.
The screening was for members of the Comanche Nation, a Plains Indians tribe that resides in Oklahoma, with whom Depp worked closely in developing his character in the film Tonto. The actor brought his adopted Comanche mother LaDonna Harris to the premire and spoke of the honor of showing the Disney film to the Comanche Nation.
"I'm proud to show [this film] to the Comanche Nation and members of the Indian Nations first," Depp said, according to People .
Depp’s role as a Native American in the summer reboot of the popular television serial of the same name sparked confusion, as the 50-year-old actor was unrecognizable in promos. Makeup artist for the film Joel Harlow said that the first time Depp appeared on set in full makeup and costume, it was difficult to tell who he was.
"I took those photographs to [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer," Harlow recalled, as quoted by MTV News . "Johnny showed it to Jerry and Jerry said, 'This is great; who is this?' "
To witness Depp’s transformation into Tonto, check out The Lone Ranger , which hits theatres July 3.
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