For Johnny Depp, the opportunity to play Tonto was more than just an excuse to work with director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer again. The actor said he felt an intense passion to play the iconic character, considering how westerners have portrayed Native Americans in previous films.
Depp not only explained why he wanted to play Tonto, but he also praised his co-star, Armie Hammer, who plays the title role of the Ranger.
"It was something I felt a pretty intense passion for, for a long time. Just taking into consideration the way that Native Americans have been portrayed in old-school TV series as sidekicks or savages,” he told MTV News.
“I just thought it was a way to flip it completely on its head and an opportunity to send great respect and thanks to the Native Americans for all they've lived through and went through in their existence. I guess it was to portray the Native American with the integrity and dignity that they deserve."
When it comes to working with Hammer, he said it was a wonderful experience because of his talents. “When you're in the ring and the camera's rolling, you're out there with your character and your partner, you never know what's going to happen," he said.
He continued, "Nothing's ever really planned; you just go out there and do your stuff and see what happens — and Armie was very good about that. A lot of guys are extremely rigid in their delivery or their intent, but Armie can move around a lot."
The film hits theaters on July 3.
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