You can see Brit thesp Mark Strong this Christmas as Lord Blackwood in the upcoming Guy Ritchie-directed SHERLOCK HOLMES, as previously announced, Strong is also part of the cast of Andrew Stanton‘s adaptation JOHN CARTER OF MARS based on the classic story by the book series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Strong recently chatted with Cinemablend and revealed a bit about his character Matai Shang, the ruler of the Thems with godlike status, and his abilities. He said that even though there’s motion capture suit involved in the production that already started in Utah, most of his part will be live action and filmed in London…
“My character doesn’t actually get involved in any of the motion-capture stuff. All the stuff is live action. Although I can shift my shape, so I have to be photographed by a 360-degree camera. I can adapt into anything. That’s going to be my particular talent.”
When asked what he can turn into.. he said other human beings. I guess it’s not as crazy as Willem Dafoe‘s character that will be nine feet tall with four arms
Taylor Kitsch as John Carter, a Civil War veteran who retreats into a cave to avoid capture by Apache Indians. He takes an otherworldly turn as he’s transported via time portal to the planet of Barsoom and taken prisoner by 12-foot-tall green men. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, who is in desperate need of a savior. Lynn Collins, will play Dejah Thoris, the heir to the throne of Mars’ Helium kingdom. Willem Dafoe is set to play Tars Tarkas, a leader of the Thark race who knows that the only way his people can survive is if they turn away from war, a position that may cost him dearly. Samantha Morton will play Sola, the daughter of Dafoe’s Tars Tarkas, who must hide her softer side from her warmongering race.
Dominic West will play Sab Than, prince of the Zodangans who believes he is entitled to rule Mars.
Polly Walker will play Sarkoja, a merciless, tyrannical Thark.
Thomas Haden Church will play Tal Hajus, an ambitious and vicious Thark warrior who is biding his time to be a ruler.
James Purefoy will play Kantos Kan, the captain of the Xavarian, the kingdom of Helium’s grand warship.
Mark Strong will play Matai Shang, the ruler of the Thems with godlike status.
Andrew Stanton (Wall-E) worked on the script with Mark Andrews with revisions from Michael Chabon.
JOHN CARTER OF MARS is set to open in 2012
