Behind The Scenes: Ice Cube & John Carpenter On The Set of GHOSTS OF MARS

The 2001 release, Ghosts Of Mars might not be one of John Carpenter‘s best films – but its definitely far from the worst. It’s still an enjoyable genre piece with a surprisingly old-fashioned vibe and its even more quaint now in the age of CGI and superheroes. 

Carpenter assembled a pretty eclectic cast for the film – Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Jason Statham, Pam Grier, Clea DuVall, and Joanna Cassidy and they all seem to be having a pretty good time chewing Ghosts of Mars red planet scenery (actually a New Mexico gypsum mine). 

This sci-fi seige movie is a semi-remake of the great Assault On Precinct 13 – but obviously it’s not as good. It has some stand-out moments and some good gimmicks, but it can be frustrating at times. On a stylistic level, the film lies somewhere between Carpenter’s 1998 release, Vampires and 1996’s Escape From L.A. It’s not as good as the first – but it’s much better than the latter. 

Budgeted at $28 million, John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars grossed just $8.7 million at the US box office and $14 million globally following its release. 

Following the release of Ghosts Mars in 2001, Carpenter didn’t make another film until the 2010 horror The Ward – and he hasn’t directed a film since.