(Cover) - EN Movies - Armie Hammer is reportedly in final negotiations to star in The Lone Ranger.

The 24-year-old American actor came to prominence in 2010 Facebook movie The Social Network, and is fast becoming one of Hollywood's most in-demand names.

For a few weeks there have been rumours linking him to producer Jerry Bruckheimer's adaptation of The Lone Ranger, and Variety has reported that Armie is now in the final stages of negotiations to portray the iconic title character.

Acclaimed actor Johnny Depp has been attached to the project since 2008, and is set to play the masked ranger's Native American sidekick Tonto, while Gore Verbinski will direct.

The Lone Ranger is one of the most iconic fictional characters in American culture, having first appeared in a radio show back in 1933 and then adapted to a hugely successful television series in 1949.

Production for the new movie, slated for release in 2014, is reportedly due to commence when Johnny has wrapped Tim Burton's adaptation of the television series Dark Shadows, due for release in 2012. (C) Cover Media