Brit trio on journey to "Mars"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - English actors Samantha Morton, Dominic West and Polly Walker have joined "John Carter of Mars," Disney's adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs book series about a Civil War veteran mysteriously transported to the war-torn red planet.

Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights") stars in the title role, while Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe are also already are on board. Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton ("WALL-E") is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Mark Andrews. "Mars" is eyeing a start early next year.

Morton plays Sola, the daughter of Dafoe's Tars Tarkas, who must hide her softer side from her warmongering race. West plays Sab Than, prince of the Zodangans who believes he is entitled to rule Mars. Walker plays Sarkoja, a merciless, tyrannical Thark.

Morton next appears in the ensemble war drama "The Messenger." West starred in HBO's "The Wire" and appeared in "300." Walker might be best known for her work on HBO's "Rome," in which she played the conniving Atia of the Julii.

(Editing by DGoodman at Reuters)