The Fate of John Carter Sequels: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

The 2012 film adaptation of John Carter was a costly endeavor, with a budget of $303 million, but its box office performance was a disappointing failure. Despite a promising start, the sequel that was initially planned has now been canceled due to poor reception. This article delves into the reasons behind its flop and explores the future of the John Carter franchise.

The Planned Sequel: John Carter: The Gods of Mars

A sequel to John Carter was indeed in the works, with director Andrew Stanton at the helm. The planned sequels for the John Carter franchise were to be part of an entire trilogy, with the second movie tentatively titled John Carter: The Gods of Mars. However, these plans were halted after the movie’s underwhelming performance at the box office. The poor reception of the first installment and its financial losses led to the cancellation of subsequent films in the planned trilogy.

Why John Carter Was a Flop

The 2012 film John Carter, based on the series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, was considered a that combined elements of adventure, action, mystery, suspense, and fantasy. However, it did not resonate well with audiences, ultimately becoming a huge box office bomb. Multiple factors contributed to its failure:

High Budget: With a production cost of $303 million, John Carter was one of the most expensive films of its time. Even with tax rebates, the film still cost $263 million, which is a substantial investment for any movie project. Poor Box Office Performance: In its opening weekend in the United States, the film earned only $30 million, significantly lower than other blockbusters released around the same time. The total worldwide revenue was $284.1 million, which, while not a complete loss, did not cover the production costs and further financial losses for Disney. Comparison with Other Blockbusters: John Carter was often compared to other big-budget films such as The Avengers and Avatar. For instance, The Avengers, with a budget of $220 million, earned an impressive $207 million in its opening weekend in the United States, nearly six times the revenue per screen of John Carter. Similarly, Avatar, also with a budget of $237 million, earned a staggering $77 million in its opening weekend in the United States, making $2.788 billion worldwide.

The Fallout and Future of the John Carter Franchise

The poor performance of John Carter had significant repercussions for both the film industry and Disney. The movie’s financial failure resulted in the resignation of Rich Ross, the head of Disney’s movie division, who resigned after the release of John Carter in April 2012. This embarrassment further tarnished the franchise's reputation, making it difficult for any future projects to garner interest or investment.

In the current climate, the John Carter franchise has become a genuinely radioactive property. No major film studio is likely to risk investing in a project after such a public failure. This means that any potential sequels or spin-offs are highly unlikely to move forward without significant changes in the market and audience perception.

However, the rich world of Edgar Rice Burroughs' works remains a potential source of inspiration for future projects. While a direct sequel to John Carter is unlikely, adaptations of other works in the series could still find a place in the industry. New directors and producers might bring a fresh perspective to the characters and settings, potentially reviving the franchise after a long period of dormancy.

As of now, the fate of John Carter sequels remains uncertain. The industry will have to wait and see if any new initiatives can bring the franchise back to life, or if it will remain a memory of a grand but ultimately unsuccessful endeavor.