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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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John Carter (film)

John Carter is a 2012 American science fiction action-adventure film directed by Andrew Stanton and based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s novel *A Princess of Mars*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

John Carter is a 2012 American science fiction action-adventure film directed by Andrew Stanton and based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s novel *A Princess of Mars*. It stars Taylor Kitsch as a Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars, where he becomes involved in a conflict among the planet’s rival kingdoms. The film was released by Walt Disney Pictures and is also known on-screen as *John Carter of Mars*.

Premise

The film follows John Carter, a former Civil War captain who is transported to Mars, or Barsoom, where his abilities make him a key figure in local struggles. He becomes drawn into a wider war involving Martian peoples and rulers.

Production

The film was directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Jim Morris, Colin Wilson, and Lindsey Collins. Its screenplay was written by Stanton, Mark Andrews, and Michael Chabon.

Cast

Taylor Kitsch plays John Carter, with Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, and Willem Dafoe in supporting roles.

Release

John Carter was released theatrically in the United States on March 9, 2012. Disney distributed the film and marketed it as a family-oriented science fiction adventure.

Key facts

  • The film is based on the first novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Barsoom series.
  • Andrew Stanton directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon.
  • Taylor Kitsch plays the title character, a Civil War veteran transported to Mars.
  • The story centers on John Carter’s involvement in a conflict among Martian kingdoms and factions.
  • The film was released in the United States on March 9, 2012.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally, including in Canada, as part of Walt Disney Pictures’ global distribution, and it remains of interest to Canadian film audiences as a major Hollywood science fiction release.[6][10]

Frequently asked questions

What is John Carter?
John Carter is a 2012 American science fiction action-adventure film directed by Andrew Stanton and based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s *A Princess of Mars*.
Who stars in John Carter?
Taylor Kitsch stars as John Carter, with Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, and Willem Dafoe in supporting roles.
What is the plot of John Carter?
The film follows a Civil War veteran transported to Mars, where he becomes involved in a conflict between rival kingdoms and factions.
When was John Carter released?
It was released in the United States on March 9, 2012.
What book is John Carter based on?
It is based on *A Princess of Mars*, the first novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Barsoom series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_(film)
    Supports: Director, writers, source novel, cast, and basic synopsis
  2. Disney — https://movies.disney.com/john-carter
    Supports: Official release date, genre, director, cast, and film description
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john_carter
    Supports: Release date, runtime, director, producers, screenwriters, genre, and synopsis
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401729/
    Supports: Plot summary, premise, and release information