DEPP IS DISNEY'S TRIPLE TREAT

Disney chairman Dick Cook revealed the news during a press conference at Los Angeles' Kodak Theatre on Wednesday (24Sep08), detailing plans for upcoming films that would tie Depp to the studio for the next few years.

Cook confirmed that a third sequel to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was in the works, and that he would star as The Mad Hatter in director Tim Burton's forthcoming adaptation of Alice In Wonderland.

And, topping off the list of projects, will be a big screen version of The Lone Ranger, which will see Depp reteam with Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

However, Depp will not take on the lead role of the Lone Ranger himself - he will instead be the hero's sidekick, Tonto.