Disney/Pixar’s first live-action film, directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E), will begin production this November in Utah — taking advantage of the state’s film tax credits, up to $5.5 million for the $28 million of work expected to be completed in-state.

The state is quite happy as it will employ over 400 full-timers for seven months in Utah, which means they’ll be paying to stay in Utah’s motels, eating at Utah’s restaurants, etc — thus contributing greatly to the local economy, all-the-while putting Utah on the map as a place to film Hollywood films.

John Carter of Mars is based on a series of books about a Civil War veteran transported to Mars.

Update: It was also announced today that Taylor Kitsch, who played Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine will star as John Carter, while Lynn Collins, who was also in Wolverine as Hugh Jackman’s love interest and currently stars in HBO True Blood, will play the role of Dejah Thoris, the Princess of Mars.

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Via KSL