Gambit goes to Mars

The cast for Andrew Stanton’s adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ sci-fi novel, John Carter Of Mars, has found its lead in Taylor Kitsch. Off the back of his turn in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Kitsch will take the lead as the film’s titular space traveller. Keeping things in the mutant family, Lynn Collins (Origins’ Silver Fox) will star alongside Kitsch in the role of Dejah Thoris.

Burroughs’ novel – originally titled A Princess Of Mars – has previously been eyed up by directors such as Robert Rodriguez and Jon Favreau. Following these two passing on the project, Stanton has since taken the reins and has co-written a script with Mark Andrews.

The story sees Civil War vet John Carter whisked off to the Red Planet. Following this impromptu trip, some newly bestowed super powers render Carter a handy addition to a war between the planet’s natives and an alien race.

The film is being distributed through Disney and starts filming this autumn.