Dafoe's Green Again in 'Mars'

"John Carter of Mars" is something that fanboys have been dreaming of for quite some time now. It is a beloved series by Edgar Rice Burroughs and has been bouncing around but now we finally have Andrew Stanton directing for Disney. Having Stanton aboard instantly increased my attention on this project but they way the cast is also shaping up, "John Carter of Mars" could prove to be an amazing cinematic experience. News came this week via THR that Willem Dafoe has signed on to play Tars Tarkas, the martian ally to John Carter. The film will be based off Burroughs first novel "A Princess of Mars" and is set to begin lensing early 2010 aiming for a 2012 release date.

Willem Dafoe is a natural talent and always a flawless character actor, so adding him as Tars Tarkas is definately a bonus. Prior to nabbing Dafoe as Tarkas, "John Carter of Mars" had only fairly newcomers Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins in starring roles. Kitsch and Collins both recently starred in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and should prove to be quality leads, but adding Dafoe instantly bolsters the casts appeal. Tars Tarkas is powerful leader among his people and the first person John Carter encounters once on Mars. Tarkas and Carter start their relationship as foes but later both learn to admire the other becoming close friends. If "John Carter of Mars" proves successful Dafoe can be assured that he will be re-visiting the role of Tarkas, because he is featured in many of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels that followed "A Princess of Mars". More news on "John Carter of Mars" as it devlops...

What say you? Have you read Edgar Rice Burroughs novels? Does Dafoe fit Tarkas? Strikeback...