'John Carter of Mars' adds three new cast members

Samantha Morton, Dominic West and Polly Walker now on board

By HitFix Staff Monday, Aug 24, 2009 2:33 AM

Samantha Morton has joined the cast of "John Carter of Mars."

Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Director Andrew Stanton is starting to round out the cast of the long awaited big screen reboot of "John Carter of Mars." According to The Hollywood Reporter, Samantha Morton, Dominic West and Polly Walker have joined the retro futuristic adventure.

Adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs books, "Carter" follows a Civil War veteran ("X-Men: Wolverine's" Taylor Kitsch) who mysteriously finds himself transported to a war ravaged planet Mars.

Willem Dafoe is already on board as Carter's first friend in this new world, Tars Tarkas, and Morton will portray his daughter Sola. West, best known for his roles in HBO's "The Wire" and Zack Snyder's "300," will play Sab Than, prince of the Zodangans who believes he's the rightful ruler of Mars. Walker, who appeared on HBO's "Rome," plays a tyrannical Thark (whatever that is).

Making his first foray into live action filmmaking, Pixar veteran Stanton is hoping to begin shooting the Walt Disney Studios production early next year.