The Lone Ranger is an action-packed Western that takes viewers on a journey alongside the Lone Ranger and Tonto through intense gunfights, a runaway train, and a dramatic bridge explosion. This Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer production effectively uses realistic sets and effects to immerse the audience in the rugged atmosphere of the Old West.
Director Gore Verbinski was committed to grounding the film as much realism as possible. He wanted viewers to feel the grit and dust of the landscape. To bring this vision to life, Verbinski turned to 32TEN Studios, a team he had previously worked with on several Pirates of the Caribbean films, for practical effects and additional footage for post-production.
CLIENT
Disney
WE PROVIDED
Models / Practical Effects / Practical Elements / Pick-Up Shots
Verbinski commented, “We approached The Lone Ranger much like classic Westerns were made, filming across multiple states and embracing all the elements nature threw at us. When it came to delivering the large-scale effects, 32TEN Studios was completely in sync with this vision. They understood how important it was to make the effects feel raw, dynamic, and true to the laws of physics.”
32TEN worked closely with Disney’s Associate Producer and VFX Producer Shari Hanson, along with VFX Supervisors Tim Alexander from ILM and Gary Brozenich from MPC. One of the most complex sequences they worked on was the destruction of a train trestle bridge, which involved several shots of the bridge exploding and collapsing.
The sequence was meticulously planned in pre-visualization by Alex Cannon, with Verbinski personally directing the action. 32TEN then brought the scene to life using 1/5th scale miniatures. Under the leadership of Model Supervisor Ben Nichols, a team of 22 model makers constructed three separate sections of the bridge. These sections were set up in 32TEN’s backlot, placed in a 50’x50’ water tank, and filmed against a large green screen. Despite being miniature, the largest section of the model was an impressive 33 feet long and 25 feet high. The scene was captured using high-speed Vistavision cameras.
Heron and his team used pyrotechnics, hydraulics, and mechanical rigs to simulate the destruction. Verbinski, monitoring everything remotely from Los Angeles via a live video feed, watched the action unfold in real-time.
In addition to the bridge sequence, 32TEN spent a week filming other practical elements and additional shots with extras in front of a green screen. These elements were created for both ILM and MPC in London, with supervisors from each studio overseeing the process via live video feeds.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Disney’s Shari Hanson remarked, “Working with 32TEN always feels like a homecoming. I’ve partnered with this team on countless projects involving miniatures and practical effects. When it came to delivering key effects for The Lone Ranger, I knew we needed everything to match the live-action sequences perfectly. 32TEN didn’t just meet those expectations — they exceeded them.”
Crash McCreery, Production Designer on The Lone Ranger, added, “Collaborating with the team at 32TEN reminded me of why I entered this industry in the first place. In an era dominated by CGI, it was a breath of fresh air to see a hand-built model blow up right in front of us, and to feel the heat and shockwave from the explosion. The engineering behind what they did was truly brilliant, and witnessing it live was an experience I won’t forget.”
Verbinski also had high praise for 32TEN’s work: “They approached the project with incredible craftsmanship and passion, always working towards making the effects absolutely believable. Their expertise is almost a lost art, and I’m grateful to have a team like 32TEN, who not only knows all the tricks but constantly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.”
