Will a PG-13 John Carter Finally Make it to Mars?

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 13, 2009

John Carter of Mars

Look, I know I phrased the question rhetorically, and I hate doing that to you, dear reader, because I know you’re smart enough to already know the answer. Still, with the history of this particular project – even though Pixar is handling everything – I refuse to count my chickens before they get in the bush.

Our friends over at /film – with whom Neil is spooning up at Sundance right now and planning on not calling in the morning – have a great write-up on some recent news regarding the long-awaited project.

According to Andrew Stanton:

I’m on the next draft of it. We’re in pre-production art-wise, and we’re starting to talk to actors.”

Stanton also claimed that the film would definitely be PG-13 at a minimum and possibly (read: most likely) be live-action.

I admit to not knowing what “starting to talk to actors” really means. Either they are hitting the ground with auditions, sending around specs to gather interest from possible big names, or trying to pin down specific people to work up a schedule. It’s unclear how far along these talks are, but we might be hearing some definite casting news in the near future.

I’m hoping this project continues to soar through the production phase, because it’s truly an incredible story that has needed to hit the big screen for far too long, and it’s exciting to see it in the hands of such capable story-tellers. Plus, I have no doubt that Stanton’s and Pixar’s names can draw a fair share of acting talent to give this sci-fi epic the film treatment it deserves.

So now that the film is casting, it’s time for us officially to start dreamcasting. My choices? Either Nathan Fillion, Joaquin Phoenix (out of retirement FTW!) or The Rock. Yes, I am absolutely serious about these choices, and, if pressed, I can back them up.

What do you think? Are you psyched to finally see John Carter of Mars coming to life on the big screen? Is it weird that he’s actually from Virginia? Who would you dreamcast in the role?


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  • Hey, What happened to my post?
  • Hmm, I have to agree and disagree with you on this one Cole.

    The JCoM series was the first books I read when I was in Junior High and next to the R.E.H. Conan series it is my favorite. I was reading them with the original Frank Frazetta covers so that tells you how old I was at the time. Needless to say it is a project that I would rather they not even attempt if they are not going to do it EXACTLY like the books are written. There is too much in the series that if removed from the film would make the overall story either too campy or non believable. This series is my LoTR, so like that movie it must be adapted as well if not better then the Ring Movies were.

    As for casting my choices for John Carter would have to be Thomas Jane, or Clive Owen, the Rock is ok but he is not John Carter who was a solider in the Southern Army. Here is the description of him from the book:
  • Carter stands 6′2″ tall and has close-cropped black hair and steel-gray eyes. Burroughs portrays him as an immortal being. In the opening pages of A Princess of Mars, the author reveals to the reader that Carter can remember no childhood, having always been a man of about thirty years old. Many generations of families referred to him as "Uncle Jack," but he always lived to see all the members of the families grow old and die, while he remained young.

    His character and courtesy exemplify the ideals of the antebellum South. A Virginian who served as a captain in the American Civil War, he strikes it rich by finding gold in Arizona after the end of hostilities. While hiding from Apaches in a cave, he seemingly dies, and leaving his inanimate body behind is mysteriously transported by a form of astral projection to the planet Mars, where he finds himself re-embodied in a form identical to his earthly one. Used to the greater gravity of Earth, he is much stronger than the natives.
  • As for it having a rating of PG-13, well 300 did well with their use of bare costumes and I hope they take a hint from that one and realize that trying to stick with that rating will hamper the story. As for the FX side I am sad that Stan Winston is no longer with us as he would have been my choice for the person to design the Thark costumes as well as the other new creatures that will be introduced. Stan was always able to make his creations look not of this world but still be believable.
  • Aleric
    Hmm, I have to agree and disagree with you on this one Cole.

    The JCoM series was the first books I read when I was in Junior High and next to the R.E.H. Conan series it is my favorite. I was reading them with the original Frank Frazetta covers so that tells you how old I was at the time. Needless to say it is a project that I would rather they not even attempt if they are not going to do it EXACTLY like the books are written. There is too much in the series that if removed from the film would make the overall story either too campy or non believable. This series is my LoTR, so like that movie it must be adapted as well if not better then the Ring Movies were.

    As for casting my choices for John Carter would have to be Thomas Jane, or Clive Owen, the Rock is ok but he is not John Carter who was a solider in the Southern Army. Here is the description of him from the book:

    Carter stands 6?2? tall and has close-cropped black hair and steel-gray eyes. Burroughs portrays him as an immortal being. In the opening pages of A Princess of Mars, the author reveals to the reader that Carter can remember no childhood, having always been a man of about thirty years old. Many generations of families referred to him as "Uncle Jack," but he always lived to see all the members of the families grow old and die, while he remained young.

    His character and courtesy exemplify the ideals of the antebellum South. A Virginian who served as a captain in the American Civil War, he strikes it rich by finding gold in Arizona after the end of hostilities. While hiding from Apaches in a cave, he seemingly dies, and leaving his inanimate body behind is mysteriously transported by a form of astral projection to the planet Mars, where he finds himself re-embodied in a form identical to his earthly one. Used to the greater gravity of Earth, he is much stronger than the natives.

    As for it having a rating of PG-13, well 300 did well with their use of bare costumes and I hope they take a hint from that one and realize that trying to stick with that rating will hamper the story. As for the FX side I am sad that Stan Winston is no longer with us as he would have been my choice for the person to design the Thark costumes as well as the other new creatures that will be introduced. Stan was always able to make his creations look not of this world but still be believable.
  • I have to agree. Thomas Jane would make a badass John Carter. I'm just glad Keanu Reeves hasn't gotten wind of the project. I think it is his goal is to trash everything sacred.
  • NO, even though I like him in some movies he is and never will be John Carter.
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