# John Carter

> 2012 American science fiction adventure film directed by Andrew Stanton

**Wikidata**: [Q235347](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235347)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-carter

## Summary
John Carter is a 2012 American science fiction adventure film directed by Andrew Stanton, based on the Barsoom novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is a live-action adaptation of the character John Carter of Mars, a fictional soldier and adventurer from the United States who becomes a warlord on the planet Mars.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Andrew Stanton, known for Pixar films like *Finding Nemo* and *WALL-E*
- Released on March 9, 2012 (March 8 in some regions)
- Production budget of $250 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever made at the time
- Box office gross of $284 million worldwide, considered a commercial disappointment
- Based on the character John Carter of Mars, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912
- Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios
- Genre classifications include science fiction film, fantasy film, action film, and adventure film
- Country of origin: United States
- IMDb ID: tt0401729
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%
- Metacritic score: 51/100
- Runtime: 132 minutes
- Official website: http://disney.go.com/johncarter/#/splash-page

## FAQs
**What is the plot of John Carter?**
The film follows John Carter, a Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars (called Barsoom by its inhabitants) where he becomes embroiled in a conflict between the planet's warring factions. He discovers he has enhanced strength and agility due to Mars' lower gravity and becomes a key figure in the planet's struggle for peace.

**Who stars in John Carter?**
The film stars Taylor Kitsch as John Carter, Lynn Collins as Dejah Thoris, Willem Dafoe as Tars Tarkas (motion capture), Thomas Haden Church as Tal Hajus (motion capture), and Mark Strong as Matai Shang. The cast also includes Samantha Morton, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, and Bryan Cranston in supporting roles.

**Why was John Carter considered a box office failure?**
Despite its massive $250 million budget, John Carter grossed only $284 million worldwide, failing to recoup its production and marketing costs. The film's poor performance was attributed to ineffective marketing, a confusing title that didn't convey the science fiction premise, and negative pre-release buzz about its high production costs.

**What is the connection to Edgar Rice Burroughs' works?**
John Carter is based on the character from Burroughs' Barsoom series, which began with "A Princess of Mars" in 1912. Burroughs is also famous for creating Tarzan. The Barsoom novels have been influential in science fiction literature, inspiring many later works in the planetary romance subgenre.

## Why It Matters
John Carter represents a significant attempt to bring a century-old literary character to the big screen with modern filmmaking technology. The film's ambitious scope, featuring extensive visual effects and world-building, showcased the potential for adapting classic science fiction literature. Despite its commercial failure, the film demonstrated advanced motion capture techniques and created a visually rich depiction of the planet Mars. The project's high budget and subsequent underperformance also became a case study in Hollywood risk assessment and marketing strategy for science fiction films.

## Notable For
- One of the most expensive films ever made at the time of its release
- Andrew Stanton's live-action directorial debut after success with animated films
- Adaptation of one of the earliest and most influential science fiction series
- Extensive use of motion capture technology for the alien characters
- Complex visual effects depicting the Martian landscape and creatures
- Failed to launch a planned franchise despite being intended as the first in a series
- Notable for its troubled production history and multiple release date changes
- Became synonymous with Hollywood box office failures despite technical achievements

## Body

### Production and Development
John Carter was directed by Andrew Stanton, marking his transition from animated films to live-action directing. Stanton, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon, had been a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series since childhood. The film was produced by Jim Morris, Colin Wilson, and Lindsey Collins, with executive producers including Stanton, Pete Docter, and Bob Roath. Principal photography began in January 2010 and wrapped in July 2010, with filming taking place in locations including Utah, England, and Spain to create the Martian landscape.

### Visual Effects and Technology
The film featured groundbreaking visual effects work from multiple companies, including Double Negative, Cinesite, and The Moving Picture Company. The production utilized extensive motion capture technology to create the Thark characters, with actors like Willem Dafoe and Thomas Haden Church performing on stilts while wearing motion capture suits. The visual effects team created over 2,000 visual effects shots, depicting everything from the Martian airships to the massive white apes in the arena sequence. The film's visual style aimed to balance the pulp science fiction aesthetic of the original novels with modern cinematic realism.

### Literary Origins and Adaptation
John Carter is based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs in his 1912 novel "A Princess of Mars," the first in his Barsoom series of planetary romance novels. Burroughs published ten novels in the series between 1912 and 1948, establishing many tropes that would become standard in science fiction. The film adaptation drew primarily from the first novel but incorporated elements from later books in the series. The character of John Carter had previously appeared in various comic book adaptations and inspired numerous other science fiction works, including elements of Star Wars and Avatar.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, John Carter received mixed reviews from critics. While many praised the film's visual effects, action sequences, and ambition, others criticized its pacing, convoluted plot, and lack of emotional depth. The film holds a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 51/100. Despite its commercial failure, the film has gained a cult following over time, with many appreciating its old-fashioned sense of adventure and visual spectacle. The film's failure to launch a franchise meant that planned sequels were never produced, though the character remains culturally significant as one of science fiction's earliest heroes.

### Cultural Impact and Influence
The Barsoom series, and by extension John Carter, has had a profound influence on science fiction and fantasy literature. The concept of a human transported to another planet, the idea of a dying Mars with ancient civilizations, and the planetary romance subgenre all trace their roots to Burroughs' work. The film's failure at the box office became a cautionary tale in Hollywood about the risks of massive budgets and the importance of effective marketing. However, the film's technical achievements in visual effects and world-building continue to be studied and appreciated by filmmakers and fans of the genre.

### Related Works and Media
The character of John Carter has appeared in various adaptations beyond the 2012 film. These include comic book series published by Marvel Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, and others. The original novels have remained in print continuously since their initial publication and are considered classics of the science fiction genre. The film's production design and visual effects have been featured in numerous behind-the-scenes documentaries and special features, documenting the extensive work that went into creating the Martian world. Despite the film's commercial failure, the character's literary legacy continues to influence science fiction storytelling.

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