Why did Silver choose Idiot Hero John Reid instead of his Ace brother, Danny? Look at what John got from being chosen by Silver; Improbable Aiming Skills and a vaguely-defined and inherently unprovable "inability to die in battle". Dan was already a badass Gunslinger, meaning Silver couldn't have been of much help to him. John, on the other hand, was an incurable idealist who lacked only the power to live up to his ideals - perfect to become the Lone Ranger.
Tonto says that, like the Wendigo, Butch Cavendish has the power to throw nature out of balance. During this conversation, Tonto throws a roasted rabbit to the other rabbits, causing them to go into a carnivorous frenzy. This may foreshadow Tonto's past and how he had a hand in "throwing nature out of balance". The rabbits act like a metaphor for Cole and Cavendish, and how Tonto leading them to silver made them greedy and heartless.
Alternatively, Tonto threw nature out of balance by saving two unscrupulous creatures who didn't deserve their second chance at life. Who's to say Nature didn't intend for those two to die all those year ago?
While the silver bullet wasn't used in killing Tonto's perceived Wendigo, the metal still killed the last man he declared as one by crushing him to death.
Why did the movie wait until the climactic train chase to bust out the iconic William Tell Overture that's been attached to the Lone Ranger for decades? Before that, he was simply John Reid, fumbling city mouse lawyer trying to survive under the burden of being The Chosen One while he had no idea what he was doing. It isn't until the climax that he fully embraces the role and truly becomes the Lone Ranger.
