John Carter (2012) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A displaced soldier discovers a larger planetary conflict, finds belonging on Barsoom, and outwits the Thern who controls his fate.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Tomb and the Medallion

Burroughs receives Carter's journal after Carter's mysterious death. The flashback follows Carter's escape in Arizona and his accidental activation of a Thern medallion.

Key Events

• Burroughs Reaches Carter Estate — Burroughs arrives after Carter's sudden death and receives his journal and fortune. Characters: Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter Location: Carter estate
• The Locked Tomb — Carter's body is placed in a tomb that can be unlocked only from inside. Characters: Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter Location: Carter tomb
• Powell Arrests Carter — Colonel Powell arrests Carter and hopes to use him against local Apache forces. Characters: John Carter Location: Arizona Territory
• Carter Escapes Pursuit — Carter escapes custody but is pursued by United States cavalry soldiers. Characters: John Carter Location: Arizona Territory
• Gold Cave Encounter — Carter enters a gold-filled cave where a Thern attacks him and activates a medallion. Characters: John Carter Location: Gold-filled cave

A Stranger on Barsoom

Carter arrives on Barsoom, discovers extraordinary physical abilities, and is captured by the Tharks. He meets Tars Tarkas and Sola while the conflict between Helium and Zodanga escalates.

Key Events

• Arrival on Barsoom — The medallion transports Carter to a ruined and dying world known to him as Mars. Characters: John Carter Location: Barsoom
• Carter Meets the Tharks — Carter is captured by the Tharks and meets their Jeddak, Tars Tarkas, and his daughter Sola. Characters: John Carter, Tars Tarkas, Sola Location: Thark territory
• Helium Faces Forced Marriage — Sab Than proposes marrying Dejah while wielding a special weapon supplied by Shang. Characters: Dejah Thoris, Sab Than, Matai Shang Location: Barsoom
• Carter Rescues Dejah — Dejah escapes the proposed marriage and is rescued by Carter. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris Location: Barsoom wilderness

The Ninth Ray's Secret

Carter rescues Dejah and travels with her and Sola to the sacred river. Their discovery of the ninth ray is followed by a Warhoon attack, capture, and Shang's revelation about the Therns.

Key Events

• Sacred River Discovery — The group discovers that medallions use the ninth ray and seeks a route back to Earth. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Sola Location: Sacred river
• Warhoon Ambush — Warhoon forces directed by Shang attack the group after the ninth-ray discovery. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Sola, Matai Shang Location: Sacred river region
• Dejah Accepts the Wedding — Dejah agrees to marry Sab Than to save her city and secretly gives Carter return instructions. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Sab Than Location: Zodanga
• Shang Reveals the Therns — Shang explains that the Therns manipulate civilizations and intend to consume Barsoom's resources. Characters: John Carter, Matai Shang Location: Zodanga

The Thark Rebellion

Carter escapes and seeks help from the Tharks, only to find Tal Hajus ruling after overthrowing Tarkas. Carter and the injured Tarkas win the arena fight and restore a new order.

Key Events

• Carter Returns to the Tharks — Carter escapes Shang and returns with Sola to seek Thark support. Characters: John Carter, Sola Location: Thark territory
• Hajus Seizes Leadership — They discover that Tal Hajus has overthrown Tarkas and rules the Tharks through brutality. Characters: John Carter, Sola, Tars Tarkas, Tal Hajus Location: Thark arena
• Arena Battle — Carter and an injured Tarkas battle two Great White-Apes before Carter kills Hajus. Characters: John Carter, Tars Tarkas, Tal Hajus Location: Thark arena

Helium's Last Stand

The Tharks seize Zodangan airships and fly to Helium. Carter defeats Sab Than's army, marries Dejah, is sent back to Earth by Shang, and turns the tomb into a trap.

Key Events

• Tharks Storm Zodanga — The Thark army reaches an empty Zodanga and commandeers its airships for Helium. Characters: John Carter, Tars Tarkas, Sola Location: Zodanga
• Battle Above Helium — Carter and the Tharks defeat the Zodangan army defending Helium. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Sola, Tars Tarkas, Sab Than Location: Helium
• Carter Marries Dejah — Sab Than is killed, Shang escapes, and Carter becomes Helium's prince by marrying Dejah. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris Location: Helium
• Carter Is Sent Away — Carter discards his medallion, but Shang reappears and sends him back to Earth. Characters: John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Matai Shang Location: Helium
• Carter's Tomb Scheme — After years on Earth, Carter arranges his death and funeral to lure a Thern from hiding. Characters: John Carter, Edgar Rice Burroughs Location: Carter estate
• The Tomb Ambush — Carter shoots the arriving Thern, takes his medallion, and returns to Barsoom. Characters: John Carter, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Matai Shang Location: Carter tomb

Story Breakdown

• Mysterious Inheritance — Burroughs inherits Carter's estate and uncovers evidence that Carter's death and burial conceal an impossible secret.
  • Carter's Strange Funeral — Carter's body is placed in a tomb that can be unlocked only from the inside.
  • The Inherited Journal — Burroughs receives Carter's journal and fortune, beginning the story's investigation.
• Arizona Escape — Carter escapes military custody and enters a cave where a Thern encounter changes his life.
  • Powell's Arrest — Colonel Powell arrests Carter in hopes of using him against local Apache forces.
  • Medallion Transport — Carter kills an attacking Thern and accidentally activates the Thern medallion.
• Thark Captivity — On Barsoom, Carter's altered physical abilities lead to capture and a new connection with the Tharks.
  • Life on Barsoom — Lower gravity gives Carter remarkable jumping ability and strength on the dying planet.
  • Tarkas and Sola — Carter meets Thark leader Tars Tarkas and his daughter Sola.
• Helium's Peril — Dejah Thoris faces a political marriage while Sab Than advances Zodanga's interests with Shang's weapon.
  • Dejah's Escape — Dejah flees the proposed marriage to Sab Than and is rescued by Carter.
  • Political Coercion — Dejah later agrees to the wedding to protect her city.
• Ninth Ray Revelation — Carter, Dejah, and Sola investigate the medallion and learn that the Therns manipulate worlds.
  • Sacred River Search — The group seeks a way for Carter to return to Earth at a sacred river.
  • Shang's Explanation — Shang reveals the Therns' plan to manipulate Barsoom and consume its resources.
• Thark Leadership Crisis — Carter returns to the Tharks and confronts Tal Hajus's violent seizure of power.
  • Hajus's Coup — Tal Hajus overthrows Tars Tarkas and rules the Tharks as a ruthless leader.
  • Arena Victory — Carter and the injured Tarkas defeat Great White-Apes, and Carter kills Hajus.
• Battle for Helium — The restored Thark alliance turns captured airships against Zodanga and defends Helium.
  • Airship Assault — The Tharks commandeer Zodangan airships and fly toward Helium.
  • Sab Than Falls — Carter defeats the Zodangan army, and Sab Than is killed during the assault.
• Return and Deception — After marriage and forced separation, Carter uses Earth as the setting for a calculated trap.
  • Shang's Final Challenge — Shang sends Carter back to Earth after Carter discards his medallion.
  • The Tomb Trap — Carter arranges unusual funeral conditions to lure a Thern from hiding.
• Return to Barsoom — Carter kills the pursuing Thern, takes the medallion, and resumes his life on Barsoom.
  • Thern Ambush — Carter shoots the Thern who appears at the tomb in front of Burroughs.
  • Carter's Choice — Carter uses the dead Thern's medallion to return to Barsoom.

Directed by

Andrew Stanton

Key Cast

• Taylor Kitsch — John Carter
• Lynn Collins — Dejah Thoris
• Samantha Morton — Sola
• Mark Strong — Matai Shang
• Ciarán Hinds — Tardos Mors