Walt Disney Pictures is wasting no time on setting the stage for next month’s John Carter adaptation to become the first in a new blockbuster series for the studio. The plan all along has been for the sci-fi flick to kick off a new trilogy – something which co-writer/director Andrew Stanton has previously made no secret of – and now progress on the next installment is already heating up.
Screen Rant‘s own Roth Cornet has learned that Stanton and his John Carter co-writer, Michael Chabon, have not only written outlines for the next two films in the series, but they’ve also actually begun penning a script for the sequel, tentatively known as John Carter: The Gods of Mars (the subtitle comes from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ second Carter novel). But is Disney counting its chickens before they hatch?
According to a new report from Deadline, the answer to that question right now is decidedly “yes” – with the site’s story on the subject bearing the disconcerting sub-headline that “['John Carter'] could be [the] biggest writeoff of all time.” The 3D project’s official budget is estimated to be around $250 million (with unofficial reports pegging it as even higher), but early word is that the Mouse House could be looking at a loss of well over $100 million on the film.
Those theoretical numbers are based on early box office tracking results for John Carter, which Deadline quotes an anonymous non-Disney studio executive as claiming that “women of all ages have flat out rejected” based on early surveys of the demographic. Kind of ironic then that the film’s original title (John Carter of Mars) was shortened, under the logic that it would lend the movie more appeal to younger female moviegoers - without significantly weakening its appeal to men. But we digress.
Disney is already downplaying the idea that a John Carter sequel (much less a franchise) is merely a pipe dream, and early word of mouth from those who’ve seen the film is actually very positive (most comments state “The movie is a lot of fun”). Seeing how the company’s marketing campaign for John Carter has only begun to really intensify over the past two weeks, awareness and interest in the movie should become all the more heightened from hereon out.
In other words: John Carter may not prove to be the box office disaster that some are anticipating – and on the off-chance that it actually turns out to be a surprise hit (good word-of-mouth would help), Disney wants to have the next installment already in motion. Still, best not hold your breath while waiting to find out whether or not this sequel is going to happen for certain.
-
John Carter arrives in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D theaters around the U.S. on March 9th, 2012.
Source: Deadline
‘Anchorman 2′ Trailers Tease the Return of Ron Burgundy’s News Team [Updated] 
Hugh Jackman Reveals Summer Start Date for ‘Wolverine 2′ 
‘Walking Dead’ Season 3 Preview Reveals The Prison & Michonne [Updated] 
‘Iron Man 3′ Begins Production; Secures Increased Budget 
Loading ...
This movie’s advertisement strategy reminds me of how Tintin was advertised:
Lots of exciting sequences, but not enough to convince everyone that it’s something special.
I do hope I’m wrong, I’m really looking forward to the movie.
If John Carter is an entertaining movie, has a good story, and if the lead character is likeable, then the film will likely do well through word-of-mouth. What exactly is Disney supposed to show to make people think it’s something special? Why are so many people bent out of shape on Disney’s supposedly poor marketing? Why do they seem to care so much that the film makes tons of money? Like any film, my #1 wish is a very selfish wish….that I like it. It’s better when hundreds of millions of others also like it, but ultimately all I care about is what I think of it.
I have a feeling that John Carter will do well critical and in the box office. Which I’m hoping it will. The movie looks very epic with e set pieces and action. I think it’s a must see. But then yet again i know there will be people who will no matter what try to compare this film to Avatar and star wars, and other movies. But overall i think it will do fine, and fine enough to give the studio a good reason to make a sequel.
“women of all ages have flat out rejected”
Hey, sounds like my kind of movie!
The shortening of the title was not a good idea.
John Carter Of Mars at least has some wonder
to it and John Carter makes anyone unfamiliar
with this story wonder what the film is about.
Similarly I think the shortening of the title
The Invention of Hugo Cabret was another
mistake and probably hurt box office for Hugo.
John Carter of Mars is more intriguing I agree. Funny that the logo has the M still. Hopefully it’s a big enough success to warrant another one.
I agree it was a mistake. Absolutely NO ONE would have been wondering why they are using the title of the last book in the series. Maybe if they had been willing to stick to the source material more closely I could see the reasoning a bit more but considering the significant deviations……yeah, no. Hollywood needs to stop over thinking everything.
i think thats great the first one looks great
i really dont care about titles. people always complain about movies titles or their subtitles and i really dont care as long as the film is good.
I admit I’m torn about wanting JC to succeed. On the one hand I am very disappointed in their blatant lack of continuity with the visuals from the book. If you can’t be bothered to match descriptions wherever possible and think your personal vision is better than the author’s, then the hell with you. If you aren’t willing to do it right (within reason), you shouldn’t be doing it at all imho.
On the other hand, I hate to condemn something that may expose people to the writings of one of the masters of science fiction and get them reading something from an author farther back than just 10-15 years.
This looks good
Movie looks awesome,and i am really looking forward to it !
But as it is with most Movies I am exited about turn out Box office failures i do not expect different here.
Sad thing is,I like those Movies and no sequel in sight!
Sad..wish John Carter the best !
What isn’t a trilogy these days?
If they do make a sequel…they had better have Taylor Kitsch back for it! If he isn’t it’s an immediate no for me (redbox rental at best). The number one thing that annoys me about sequels is the fact that the actor of a main character has been replaced. I understand deaths/serious injuries…I make an exception for those (Dumbeldore) but hashing out a sequel with none of the main characters immediately writes it off for me.
That being said I hope it does as well as they are anticipating I will for sure be going to see it in the theaters!
Just got back from checking out SW EP1 in 3D, they played a 3D trailer for John Carter ahead of the movie and I have to say the 3D looked really amazing! It’s clear that Stanton’s Pixar pedigree is behind it. I can honestly say it is on par with Avatar’s 3D!
A guy next to me even asked if that was from Avatar 2 before the title appeared
So if the rest of the movie looks as good on 3D as the trailer did we are in for a visual treat!
Count me excited!