After ten blockbuster movies that transformed the world of animation, Pixar has announced its first live action film, based on the outer-space series by “Tarzan” author Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Adventures of John Carter on Mars
. It will star Taylor Kitsch of “Friday Night Lights” and Lynn Collins, a brilliantly talented actress I have admired since she played Portia in the Al Pacino “A Merchant of Venice.” John Carter is a Civil War Veteran who gets caught up in a war on Mars. The script is by Andrew Staunton, who also wrote “Finding Nemo,” “Toy Story 2,” and “A Bug’s Life,” and Michael Chabon of “Wonder Boys” and “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” and Staunton is also set to direct. Doesn’t that sound magnificent!
Since I read these books more than 30 years ago I have thought they are among the most deserving to be filmed. That Pixar is supporting this project simply gives greater hope to a satisfying rendition of these amazing stories. Cabon’s contribution gives me even greater expectations (now I have to cool my jets and let them make the film, rather than exercizing wishful coaching as some fans did with the Potter or Lord of the Rings films)
How many of us have stood like John Carter gazing at the stars, hoping we too could be transported to a new world.