A major film studio is considering locations around Moab and other areas of the state for the possible filming of a movie, based on an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel series, according to Larry Campbell, a film location manager who lives in Moab, and Tara Penner, director of the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, who attended a meeting in Salt Lake City last week concerning the potential film project.

Campbell has been working with Rory Enke, head location manager on the “John Carter of Mars” project for several months now, pinpointing areas of southern Utah that can be used to replicate Mars.

Enke said he has been excited about Utah from the very beginning, but until Disney/Pixar saw the new state film incentives he was not allowed to consider the area as a possibility, Penner said.

Enke noted during the meeting that Utah won out in a “world-wide competition” for the location of the feature film, because of the state’s scenic regions that “could not be matched,” and a competitive incentive, according to Penner.

The areas of interest under consideration are Hanksville, Moab, Big Water, and potentially a location in northern Utah, Penner said.

“It is about time we got a feature film back in Moab,” Penner said. “This project will employee around 400 people, and will be at least a year long project, with nearly 80 shoot days. Thanks to the hard work of our local film crew, and legislature who supports the film industry, Moab will once again be recognized as a film destination.”

This film is being based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs’ 11 book series, starting with book one, “Princess of Mars.” It is a science fiction novel published in 1912, with a combination of planetary romance and some elements of the Western genre.

For more information, contact the film office, or visit the website at www.moabcity.org/filmcommission or contact Penner at 435-259-4341 or tara@moabcity.org.