Walt Disney's much-awaited action adventure western comedy film, 'The Lone Ranger,' starring Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer, is being premiered at the Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim June 22.
The ticket price for the star-studded premiere is slightly high at $1,000,but it is all for a good cause. Disney has decided to donate 100 percent of the revenue from the event to the American Indian College Fund (AICF).
"We've had a terrific collaboration with the Native American community throughout the production of Disney's The Lone Ranger," Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said. "With the world premiere of this exciting film at hand, we are pleased to commemorate the occasion by supporting the American Indian College Fund."
The fund will be used to support scholarships and other Native American students.
Disney's decision to contribute the entire revenue from the premiere to AICF is also seen as a way to shush the criticisms that have emerged over casting Johnny Depp as the Lone Ranger's iconic Comanche sidekick.
Critics have questioned whether it is appropriate to cast Depp as Tonto, a white man, to play the character in the $230 million movie, the costliest release of the summer. Depp has promised his fans that that American Indians will be satisfied with his portrayal. "This Tonto isn't the obedient sidekick he has been portrayed as before," Depp said.
Disney has hosted several premieres at its theme parks, the most recent events being the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which were held at Disneyland.
"All of us at Disney Parks are thrilled to host the world premiere of The Lone Ranger at Disney California Adventure. Disney brings unforgettable stories and characters to life in our movies and in our parks and resorts, so there's no better place than Disney California Adventure to start this trailblazing film on its journey," Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said.
The world-wide release of this summer blockbuster is on July 3, 2013.
