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First Edition of Edgar Rice Burrough's A PRINCESS OF MARS(1917).
© McGlurg

Pixar Developing JOHN CARTER OF MARS Trilogy

By: Jarrod Sarafin, News Editor
Date: Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Source: ERBZine

How long has the sci-fi series JOHN CARTER OF MARS been in development hell? A long time, readers. A very long time...Not anymore thanks to Pixar and Disney. They're developing a trilogy based on the series with the first film adaptation to hit theaters sometime in 2012. More may be coming after the trilogy since this is based off an 11 volumn series. Here is what ERBZine is reporting on the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs series.

"The Pixar creative team spent Tuesday morning exploring the massive Edgar Rice Burroughs archives in the ERB, Inc. offices on Ventura Blvd. Pixar's Jim Morris (vp), Andrew Stanton (director), Mark Andrews (script) discussed the 'John Carter of Mars' film project with Burroughs representatives, Danton Burroughs, Sandra Galfas and Jim Sullos," says the site.

The site adds, "All six members at the meeting expressed a deep commitment to the project, acknowledging that they had been inspired by Burroughs' creations from a very early age. This is evidenced in the excitement held for the John Carter property and the plans for a film trilogy faithful to the Burroughs books."

Plot Concept: Centers on a Civil War veteran whose retreat into a cave to avoid capture by Apache Indians takes an otherworldly turn as he's transported via time portal to the planet of Barsoom and taken prisoner by 12-foot-tall green men.

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Comments/Responses

Whiskeymovie • Oct 09, 2007, 02:36am •

I am not familiar with this. But why is it called John Carter of Mars if the planet is called Barsoom? I dig Pixar and they haven't made a bad movie yet, plus this seems to be branching out some for them, which is good.

wrrlykam • Oct 09, 2007, 03:11am •

Barsoom is what the native martians call Mars.

A traditional pulp scifi movie series will be good fun. It will be interesting to see what graphical style they take. Hopefully not too angular like The Incredibles.

vampiresuck • Oct 09, 2007, 04:21am •

Yea, ive heard of the series, but admit i know nothing about it, but i have absolute faith in Pixar. They can do no wrong in my book.

madmanic999 • Oct 09, 2007, 04:51am •

Agreed, if it's Pixar, I am there.

klaatu1701 • Oct 09, 2007, 05:00am •

Pixar/Disney are at the top of their game, however the idea of having John Carter as a CGI 'cartoon' does not sit well with me. I read all the books in my younger days and recall the blood thirsty swordfights, pulp action at its best!

DarkJedi • Oct 09, 2007, 05:37am •

Hey Klaatu,

Just letting you know that your fears may be calmed somewhat. Pixar has indicated their desire to branch out into different mediums and demographics in future projects.

The company we see as the creators of Toy Story, The Incredibles, Cars, etc could be targetting adult audiences more directly by 2012. They've indicated a need to break the mold from their normal playgrounds.

There can be no doubt that there are scantily clad ladies and blood thirsty fights in the John Carter series.

I'm surprised we've had two commenters already who have said they haven't read this sci-fi series..

Definitely recommend it, readers. This has been on the forefront of some serious contenders for over a decade now.

The fact that Pixar is already planning a trilogy (something very uncommon for them) indicates their serious nature in the series...franchise..

Jarrod Sarafin
Mania News Editor

monkeyfoot • Oct 09, 2007, 09:33am •

I'm very happy a great company like Pixar is on this with full cooperation from the Burroughs estate. I'm also glad they will keep some of the more mature aspects of the story line, Jarrod. Although I doubt there will be limbs chopped off and nude women running about. They'll keep that PG-13 rating.
Any of you who haven't read any of the series you should. They are the precursor
of all the space fantasy type stories - from Flash Gordon to Star Wars, with flying ships, fearsome monsters, laser and sword fights ,and beautiful princesses to be rescued.

lister • Oct 09, 2007, 10:59am •

This will probably work better than a live action version. I'm down!

teabagging2000 • Oct 09, 2007, 11:17am •

I finished reading the 1st book earlier this year and it was a pretty fun read. Up until the last few chapters there's no more than 2 humans so any live actors will have their work cut out for them. John Carter was pretty ruthless in parts of that book though, it's hard to imagine Pixar going in that direction, but we all know it will be good. Now if I can just convince the Beowulf/Polar Express people to do Ender's Game!!

popa • Oct 09, 2007, 01:16pm •

I’m having trouble wrapping my brain around the concept. “John Carter of Mars” came out in 1912 and takes place in the civil war era. In 1912 Mars was a mysterious place where anything was possible because we knew next to nothing about it. That’s no longer true, of course, so what is the concept for a movie? An adventure that only took place in the mind of John Carter? Or maybe I’m missing the point. Maybe pure fantasy is what the world needs right now.

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