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Empire Big Screen’s Exclusive Footage Report - John Carter

Description of the world exclusive clips of Taylor Kitsch as John Carter of Mars.

We'll be bringing you an overview of the inaugural Empire Presents Big Screen event very soon, but we must first bring you details of the exclusive footage presented to us.

The IndigO2 at London's The O2 was host to three mornings of studio presentations, which were for the most part trailers. However, there was plenty of new footage, and a couple of world exclusives.

The most exciting preview was Disney's John Carter. Recently in the news as its escalating budget caused Disney to drop their Johnny Depp-starring Lone Ranger, we finally saw why the studio has invested so much. This epic adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' sci-fi novel John Carter of Mars stars Taylor Kitsch as the Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars. Director Andrew Stanton recorded an introduction for fans, before we became the first members of the public to see two specially prepared scenes.

We see the moment John Carter wakes up on the desert landscape of Mars, and finds a window in the rocks. Looking in, he sees eggs hatching into adorable baby aliens - the Tharks. Soon we see what the grown-up Tharks look like, as Carter comes face to face with a group riding along, loaded with weapons in their four arms. They're aggressive, bar one Tars Tarkas, who softly tries to communicate with the panicking Carter. This leads an endearing and confusing exchange as the two introduces themselves, with Tars convinced the newcomer's name is Virginia. The scene ends with Carter using the decreased gravity to leap sky high to Tars' discarded weapon.

The second clip sees Carter and a Thark in a gladiatorial arena, with Tharks baying for blood. Carter desperately yanks at the long chain that binds him to a rock, before a huge white ape, again with an extra set of limbs, is unleashed. Carter gracefully leaps over and under the raging creature, before an exasperated Thark requests a second ape is released.

Even though Stanton pointed out the footage wasn't fully rendered, it was still mightily impressive. The photography is naturalistic, the CGI subtle - it looks expensive. Comparisons must be made with Avatar, as it has a similar epic feel. Although John Carter the film appears to have a drier sense of humour - Tars is going to be quite the character. The green-skinned Tharks are fascinating creatures with expressive faces, so look forward to seeing them in all their glory.

These two scenes were far more promising than the teaser trailer, which makes the film look like Prince of Persia in space. Kitsch is appealing in a brooding way - was getting a Josh Brolin vibe when he was in his period get-up.

John Carter is released on 9th March 2012, and is the first live-action film from Wall-E and Finding Nemo director Stanton.

From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter” - a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.