3. The Lone Ranger (2013)
Despite Johnny Depp’s star power and Disney’s ambitious vision, The Lone Ranger stumbled badly at the box office. Initially expected to revive the classic Western hero for modern audiences, the film suffered numerous production setbacks, ballooning the budget to an eye-watering $225 million. Controversies surrounding casting choices, particularly Depp’s portrayal of Native American character Tonto, sparked backlash and negative publicity. Ultimately, mixed reviews and tepid audience reception resulted in a disappointing global gross, with Disney reportedly facing losses exceeding $150 million. The film’s failure underscored how off-screen controversies and inflated budgets can derail even the most star-studded Hollywood projects.
