Thomas Haden Church

Thomas Haden Church on His 'Badass' John Carter of Mars Character

Actor Thomas Haden Church is very much in demand now, but he almost walked away from acting altogether just six years ago. After his TV shows Wings and Ned and Stacey were cancelled, Church appeared in a string of bad movies and was going to throw in the towel before landing the role in Sideways that not only brought him back to acting, but earned him an Academy Award nomination. Since that time, he's starred in blockbuster movies like Spider-Man 3 and in indies like his latest movie, Don McKay, and currently has roles in four movies in various stages of production, including Disney's epic sci-fi movie John Carter of Mars. Church recently discussed the cryptic nature in which he found out he landed a role in John Carter and offered up clues about his character in the movie.

• John Carter
• Andrew Stanton
• Thomas Haden Church

Three Additions to Cast of Pixar's John Carter of Mars

The Hollywood Reporter writes that three more actors will star in Pixar's first live-action movie, John Carter of Mars. Thomas Haden Church, James Purefoy, and Mark Strong have joined a cast that already includes Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, Taylor Kitsch, and Lynn Collins.

The story involves John Carter (Kitsch), a Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars. But this isn't the barren red planet we know; this Mars is a violent society involving "12-foot-tall green barbarians," according to IMDb.

Church will portray a warrior with a desire for power, Purefoy a captain, and Strong the ruler of a people called the Thems. Directing the movie is Andrew Stanton, who also co-wrote the script. Stanton has already helmed several Pixar features, including Wall-E, Finding Nemo, and A Bug's Life.

The movie is still in pre-production and is scheduled for a 2012 release.

• John Carter
• Thomas Haden Church
• James Purefoy
• Mark Strong
• Willem Dafoe
• Samantha Morton
• Taylor Kitsch
• Andrew Stanton
• Lynn Collins

Family-friendly fare: Johnny Quest and NowhereLand

Warner Bros. has plans to bring the popular '60s cartoon, Johnny Quest, to the silver screen in a live-action adventure for the whole family to enjoy. The script, which follows the travels of a young boy, his scientist dad, adopted Indian brother, bulldog named Bandit, and government security agent, will be written by Dan Mazeau.

And Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Charlotte's Web) will be joining Eddie Murphy in a new comedy, NowhereLand, about a down-on-his-luck financial exec who finds solace in the magical world his daughter creates. Director Karey Kirkpatrick (Over the Hedge) will begin filming NowhereLand next month.

Source: Variety.

• Johnny Quest
• Thomas Haden Church
• Eddie Murphy
• Karey Kirkpatrick