Is a John Carter Sequel in the Works?

The popular 2012 film John Carter has enthralled fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs' books ever since its release. However, the sequel that many had hoped for did not materialize, marking a turning point for the franchise. Let's delve into the details of this franchise, its budget, and marketing challenges, and the potential future of such a beloved series.

Conception and Plans

Originally, there were plans for an entire trilogy featuring John Carter, directed by Andrew Stanton, with the sequel tentatively titled John Carter: The Gods of Mars. Unfortunately, the initial film's box office performance left a bitter taste, resulting in the scrapping of these future plans. The movie was based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, the first installment in a series of 11 books, making it a potential powerhouse for a long-running franchise.

Financial Performance and Box Office Fiasco

John Carter had a production budget of $303 million, with tax rebates bringing it down to $263 million post-tax. It only managed to earn $284 million worldwide, making it a significant financial loss for Disney. In comparison, the 2012 blockbuster The Avengers grossed around $1.5 billion, demonstrating the stark difference in performance. Also, Avatar in 2009, with a budget of $237 million, grossed $2.788 billion, further highlighting the disconnect between the two films' success.

Marketing Mishaps and Public Perception

The film's marketing campaign was widely criticized for its severe mishandling, which failed to generate the anticipated interest. A poor box office opening in the United States, earning just $30 million, highlighted the shortfall. The low revenue per screen and a total worldwide gross of $284.1 million fell far short of expectations. Given the substantial budget and the well-known director, such a performance left a painful scar on the industry and Disney's reputation.

Aftermath and Future Plans

The financial and critical failure of John Carter had a profound impact. The studio's chairman, Rich Ross, had to resign from his position in April 2012 due to the disappointing results. This further reinforced the difficulty in reviving or expanding the franchise because of its association with financial losses.

To this day, there has been no official announcement regarding a potential sequel or any future plans for the John Carter universe. While the concept and story elements are highly appealing, the history of the film's poor performance has made the idea of a revival highly unlikely.

Conclusion

The John Carter film and its potential for a sequel remain a topic of interest among film enthusiasts and Burroughs fans. Despite the captivating storyline and the allure of the Martian setting, the financial and marketing challenges that followed have made any future plans for a sequel extremely improbable.