By Ryan Parsons | Image property of respective holders, Variety.
John Carter of Mars
After Paramount made significant gains with a theatrical version of John Carter of Mars thanks to having Jon Favreau on to direct and Sean Daniel and Jim Jacks on to produce, the studio has now let their rights to the tome expire.
Whoops! Look out, in rockets Mickey!
Disney Takes John Carter of Mars
The minute Paramount let the project drop Disney was there to pick up the pieces of a theatrical adaptation of John Carter of Mars. Though I don't know how comfortable I am knowing it will be Mickey sending Carter to the moon, it is still nice to know the project has support.
John Carter of Mars is the story of 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.
Burroughs wrote eleven volumes of Carter's adventures and Disney is hoping the film will launch a sorely needed franchise. You know, a franchise that doesn't go straight to DVD. What? They can't ride on the tide of Pirates forever.
Disney will be sure to keep John Carter of Mars a 'family-oriented fare,' as what is required in their mandate under prexy Oren Aviv.