It is not to be confused with the higher-budget science fantasy film John Carter (2012), which is a direct adaptation of the novel.

[3] John Carter is a modern-day U.S. Army sniper serving in Afghanistan, wounded in the line of duty and used in a teleportation experiment wherein he is transferred to Barsoom, a planet in the Alpha Centauri stellar system, far from the Sun-based Solar System of Earth, where he exhibits the ability to leap amazing distances.

Initially enslaved by the Tharks, he earns a rank among them and later saves a rival group's princess, the human-looking Dejah Thoris, from death.

When Sarka escapes, Carter helps Tarkas kill Hajus and become the new leader of the Tharks.

Captain Carter then learns that Dejah Thoris has fled to the planetary air-cleaning station that keeps Barsoom habitable, which Sarka damages, causing the atmosphere to deteriorate.