New Behind the Scene Photos of John Carter from IGN

Logically, John Carter should never have been turned into a movie.

Many of you will know and love the Edgar Rice Burroughs sci-fi books. The first hit shelves in 1912, and told the story of a confederate soldier mysteriously transported to Mars. Once there he becomes embroiled in a war that’s slowly destroying the planet, fought between various alien races including the Tharks, who are 12′ tall aliens with huge tusks.

It’s classic stuff that’s influenced the likes of Avatar, Babylon 5and Flash Gordon. Without ‘JC’ there would probably be no Star Wars.

Despite their importance in the sci-fi world, the problem with Burroughs’ stories is that ordinary punters have never heard of them.

And not only is the source material unfamiliar, but the movie also has no stars. Taylor Kitsch plays the title role, but Americans know him best, if at all, for Friday Night Lights. And few Brits have heard of him. Logic dictates a Tom Cruise, a Johnny Depp, or even a Ryan Gosling, should headline a franchise like this. But Tayor who?

The rest of the cast is fleshed out with talented character actors –Dominic West as Sab Than, Willem Defoe as Tars Tarkas, Mark Strong as Matai Shang, Lynn Collins as love interest Dejah and so on, but none of them will fill a multiplex.

Read the rest at IGN.  Scroll down for photos from the set.