Taylor Kitsch to play 'John Carter Of Mars'

WENN

Taylor Kitsch will take on the lead role in Disney's John Carter Of Mars.

Kitsch, who has starred in Friday Night Lights and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, held off competition from more experienced actors Jon Hamm and Josh Duhamel to win the coveted part.

Andrew Stanton (WALL-E) will direct the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs's pulp creation, which centres on a Civil War veteran who finds himself transported to Mars.

Kitsch's Wolverine co-star Lynn Collins has been cast as Dejah Thoris, Princess of the Martian empire of Helium.

In addition, Spider-Man 3 villain Thomas Haden Church revealed on TV show ReelTalk that he has a role in the "huge science fiction drama", but did not disclose the character he is playing.

John Carter Of Mars is scheduled to begin production early next year.