"The Lone Ranger" remake thrusts Tonto into the spotlight

(CBS News) After the release of the first movie still from Disney's action-adventure "The Lone Ranger" the internet has been abuzz about what direction director Gore Verbinski is going to take this remake of the 1950s classic TV show.

The photo that leaked shows Johnny Depp in full makeup as the spirit warrior Tonto and Armie Hammer buttoned-up in a suit, sporting the traditional black mask of the Lone Ranger, John Reid.

"The Lone Ranger" TV show, which aired from 1949-1957, followed ranger-turned-vigilante Reid, played by Clayton Moore, and his Native American compainion Tonto, played by Jay Silverheels.

But, in Verbinski's remake Depp's Tonto will be the main character and Hammer's Lone Ranger will become the sidekick.

"I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way to..."Eliminate' isn't possible - but reinvent the relationship, to attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans, not only in 'The Lone Ranger,' but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema, and turn it on its head," Depp explained to Entertainment Weekly about his character.

The film has already started filming in New Mexico and is aiming to be released on May 13, 2013. In addition to Depp and Hammer, the film stars Helena Bonham Carter, William Fichtner and Tom Wilkinson.