One of the big news items of last week was Disney pulling the plug on the highly-anticipated Lone Ranger. One of the reasons given for the shut down was the project's inflating budget, and now it seems we know why the budget was so big: The script included CGI werewolves and other mythical Native American creatures.

Here's what an unnamed screenwriter, who followed the project through a private writer's website, had to say about the project.

"It was never going to be a semi-traditional western...it was never going to be Zorro. It was going to be a Tonto show mainly. Tonto as the top dog and more dominant than the Lone Ranger. Tonto and the Indian spirits like Obi Wan Kenobi and the force. The driving engine was going to be Native American occult aspects worked in with werewolves and special effects. But flavored with doses of Native American spirituality in a serious way. But then Cowboys & Aliens came along and tanked and Disney got cold tenderfeet, spooked by the idea of a pricey mashup. If Cowboys & Aliens had made $200 million, this wouldn't be happening. A Jerry Bruckheimer-style western in the wake of Cowboys & Aliens is nothing anyone is feeling secure about at this stage. Trust me, the writers of tentpole garbage are all scared now."

You can also take a look at an excerpt from a 2009 draft of the screenplay, which was written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, that suggests the werewolves' presence.

Lone Ranger Screenplay Excerpt

Justin Haythe came on board to work on the screenplay after Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, although it is believed that werewolves were still a major factor in the story before Lone Ranger was shut down.

It still isn't clear what the future holds for Lone Ranger, which could be brought back to life at another studio, or even at Disney somewhere down the road.