"John Carter" draws inspiration from various sources, including classic literature, mythology, and even comic books. The film's narrative is loosely based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' "A Princess of Mars," a 1912 novel that launched the popular Barsoom series. Stanton and his team have cited influences from films like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, as well as comic book series like "Saga." These diverse influences are evident in the film's storytelling, characters, and world-building.