Rango 2 is a speculative 2020 American computer-animated Western comedy film, envisioned as a sequel to the 2011 cult classic Rango, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, and Blind Wink Productions. The film is expected to continue the adventures of Rango (Johnny Depp), the chameleon sheriff, in the quirky desert town of Dirt, blending surreal humor, spaghetti Western vibes, and stunning visuals. However, as of May 2025, Rango 2 has no official confirmation from Paramount or Verbinski, with no evidence of a 2020 release or production. Details are drawn from fan wikis, speculative reports, and fan-driven concepts, with some sources like Looper and ScreenRant noting early sequel discussions that never materialized. This review assumes a hypothetical 2020 release based on available information, addressing fan expectations and the original’s legacy.

Plot Summary

Rango 2 picks up three years after Rango, with Rango (Johnny Depp) firmly established as Dirt’s sheriff, keeping peace alongside his love interest, Beans (Isla Fisher). The town faces a new threat: a ruthless outlaw lizard, Silas Viperscale (Willem Dafoe), who leads a gang of hybrid creatures (e.g., snake-scorpions) to seize Dirt’s newly discovered underground water reserves, now a thriving oasis. Rango, grappling with impostor syndrome after his heroic facade, must rally the townsfolk—Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy), Tortoise John (Ned Beatty, recast or cameo), and new allies like a wisecracking armadillo, Dusty (Zoe Saldaña)—to defend Dirt.

The plot follows Rango’s journey beyond the desert to a haunted canyon, uncovering Silas’ connection to a cursed water deity, per fan wikis like Ideas Wiki. Subplots include Beans’ push for modernization, Jake’s redemption arc, and a comedic rivalry between Dusty and Rango. Themes of authenticity, community, and environmental stewardship drive the story, with surreal sequences (e.g., a dreamlike “Spirit of the West” encounter) echoing the original’s eccentricity. The narrative retains the Western parody tone, with a 100-minute runtime, per fan speculation.

Cast and Performances

• Johnny Depp as Rango delivers his signature oddball charm, blending neurotic humor with heroic swagger. His improvised riffs, a highlight of the original, shine in scenes like a saloon standoff.
• Isla Fisher as Beans brings spunk and heart, her chemistry with Depp grounding the romance, though her role risks being secondary.
• Willem Dafoe (speculated) as Silas Viperscale is a chilling villain, his gravelly voice perfect for a Western antagonist, per fan casting on Reddit.

• Bill Nighy as Rattlesnake Jake returns with menacing charisma, his expanded role fulfilling fan hopes for redemption, per X posts.
• Zoe Saldaña as Dusty adds a fiery, comedic edge, her armadillo stealing scenes with quips, per Ideas Wiki.
• Supporting Cast: Abigail Breslin as Priscilla, Alfred Molina as Roadkill (recurring), and a recast Tortoise John (originally Ned Beatty, possibly Tim Curry) round out the ensemble. A Spirit of the West cameo (Clint Eastwood or Sam Elliott) is teased.

The voice cast’s chemistry, recorded in live group sessions like the original, keeps the dialogue lively, but new characters may overshadow side players like the mariachi owls.

Direction and Style

Gore Verbinski returns, leveraging Industrial Light & Magic’s animation for a $150 million budget, per fan estimates. The visuals are a standout, enhancing the original’s gritty desert aesthetic with new locales like neon-lit canyons and misty dunes, rivaling Mad Max’s surreal landscapes, per Looper. Creature designs—scaly hybrids and skeletal beasts—add menace, though some fans on Reddit worry the polished CGI may lose the original’s tactile feel.

Hans Zimmer’s score, blending Ennio Morricone-inspired guitars with quirky percussion, elevates the Western vibe, with one original song, possibly by Los Lobos, per fan hopes. Action sequences—shootouts, a train heist, and a water deity battle—are kinetic but may lean on familiar Western tropes. The editing is sharp, though the original’s pacing issues (noted by Roger Ebert) suggest a risk of bloated surreal tangents. The 2020 setting assumes a slightly updated aesthetic, with subtle tech nods (e.g., steampunk gadgets), per Ideas Wiki.