Disney and Pixar have dropped the first teaser trailer for their first live action collaboration, John Carter. Formerly called John Carter of Mars after the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel upon which it’s based. Starring Taylor Kitsch (“Friday Night Lights”, Wolverine) as the title character (Josh Duhamel and Jon Hamm were leading contenders), Lynn Collins (Wolverine, City Island, “True Blood”), Willem Dafoe, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, James Purefoy, Dominic West (okay, that’s enough. I can’t take any more), John Carter is directed by Andrew Stanton, whose previous animated credits include Toy Story 1-3, Wall-E, Finding Nemo and Monsters,Inc.

I like the serious tone and that they seem to be downplaying the kitsch (sorry Taylor, no offense intended and I just couldn’t resist). I liked the voice over by Willem Dafoe. I know this is only a teaser and there will be much more to come, but my biggest problem with this is that is suffers from a serious lack of the presence Mark Strong (Matai Shang).

Disney’s official synopsis:

“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 {US Civil} 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.”

John Carter will be released in the UK, US & Canada on 9 March 2012.