The next project is Edgar Rice Burroughs. The author, let's start with part 1. Who are his parents? Where was he born? What schools did he go to? Nationality other than US, if any?
Edgar Rice Burroughs was born on September 1, 1875, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Parents:
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Father: Major George Tyler Burroughs (1833–1913) – A Civil War veteran and businessman.
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Mother: Mary Evaline Burroughs (née Zieger) (1840–1920).
Education:
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The Brown School (a private school in Chicago).
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Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts) – Attended briefly but did not graduate.
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Michigan Military Academy (Orchard Lake, Michigan) – Graduated in 1895.
Nationality:
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United States (No known dual nationality).
Would you like to move on to his early career and how he got into writing?
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Yes, and if he worked in any other field?
Early Career & Jobs Before Writing
After graduating from Michigan Military Academy in 1895, Burroughs attempted to join the U.S. Army but was rejected due to a heart condition. He then took on a variety of jobs before becoming a writer.
Jobs & Career Before Writing:
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U.S. 7th Cavalry (1896): Briefly served as an enlisted soldier in Arizona but was discharged due to health issues.
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Ranch Hand & Cowboy (1896-1897): Worked on a ranch in Idaho.
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Gold Miner (1898): Tried his luck as a prospector in Idaho but was unsuccessful.
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Railroad Policeman (1899): Worked for the Oregon Short Line Railroad as a police officer.
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Salesman & Businessman (1900s): Took various jobs selling pencil sharpeners, light bulbs, and advertising services but struggled financially.
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Accountant & Department Manager (1904-1911): Managed a battery company in Chicago but found the work unfulfilling.
Transition to Writing (1911):
By 1911, struggling with finances and dissatisfied with his jobs, Burroughs began writing pulp fiction. His first published story, "Under the Moons of Mars" (1912), introduced John Carter of Mars and was serialized in The All-Story magazine. This success led to his most famous creation, Tarzan of the Apes (1912), which made him a household name.
Would you like a detailed breakdown of his first published works and how they shaped his legacy?
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Yes.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: His First Published Works & Legacy
After years of struggling with odd jobs, Burroughs turned to writing in 1911, believing that pulp fiction magazines published stories that were often poorly written—so he thought he could do better. He was right.
1. First Published Story: "Under the Moons of Mars" (1912)
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Published in: The All-Story Magazine (serialized from February to July 1912).
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Later published as a novel in 1917 under the title: A Princess of Mars.
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Introduced: John Carter, a Civil War veteran who mysteriously gets transported to Mars (called Barsoom) and becomes a warrior in its conflicts.
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Impact: Marked the birth of the science-fantasy genre, influencing later works like Star Wars and Avatar.
2. Breakthrough: "Tarzan of the Apes" (1912)
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Published in: The All-Story Magazine (October 1912).
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Published as a book: 1914.
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Plot: A British noble couple is stranded in the African jungle, and their orphaned son is raised by great apes. Tarzan grows up to be a powerful, intelligent man, caught between the human and animal worlds.
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Impact:
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Became one of the most famous literary characters of all time.
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Spawned over 25 sequels, comic strips, radio shows, movies, and TV series.
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Made Burroughs a wealthy and internationally famous author.
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3. Other Early Works (1913–1915)
After Tarzan’s success, Burroughs quickly expanded his writing career:
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"The Gods of Mars" (1913) – A sequel to A Princess of Mars, expanding the Barsoom series.
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"The Return of Tarzan" (1913) – The first Tarzan sequel, solidifying his popularity.
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"At the Earth's Core" (1914) – Introduced the Pellucidar series, set in a hollow Earth with prehistoric creatures.
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"The Mad King" (1914-1915) – A swashbuckling adventure set in a fictional European kingdom.
Legacy of His Early Works
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Pioneered the "Planetary Romance" genre, inspiring sci-fi creators like Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and George Lucas.
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Helped shape modern pulp adventure storytelling, influencing comic books, action films, and fantasy series.
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Created enduring franchises (Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, Pellucidar), with adaptations still being made today.
Would you like a deep dive into his later works, including his World War I-era writings and how he expanded his literary empire?
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Yes.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Later Works & Expansion of His Literary Empire
By the mid-1910s, Burroughs was not just a popular writer—he was a literary phenomenon. His success with Tarzan and John Carter allowed him to expand his creative output into new genres, from lost-world adventures to wartime thrillers.
1. World War I-Era Writings (1916–1919)
During World War I, Burroughs continued to write prolifically, using the war as inspiration for some of his works:
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"The Land That Time Forgot" (1918) – A lost-world adventure where soldiers from both sides of WWI end up on an island filled with dinosaurs and primitive humans.
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"Beyond Thirty" (1916) (later titled The Lost Continent) – A dystopian story set in a future where the Western Hemisphere isolates itself, and Europe falls into barbarism.
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"Tarzan the Untamed" (1920) – Set during WWI, Tarzan fights Germans in Africa after they destroy his home.
Significance:
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Showed his ability to blend adventure with contemporary events.
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Expanded his “lost world” narratives, which later inspired movies like Jurassic Park.
2. The Expansion of the Tarzan Franchise (1920s–1930s)
Burroughs turned Tarzan into a global multimedia empire, launching:
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Tarzan comic strips (1929) – Helped spread the character’s popularity worldwide.
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Tarzan radio shows (1932–1936) – Broadcasts introduced Tarzan to non-readers.
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Hollywood films – The first Tarzan movie (1918) was a silent film, but the real explosion came with Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan films (1932–1948), which defined the character for generations.
Tarzan’s Evolution in the Books:
Burroughs wrote over 25 Tarzan books, taking the character from a jungle warrior to a global adventurer. Key books include:
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"Tarzan and the Golden Lion" (1923) – Introduces Tarzan’s pet lion, Jad-bal-ja.
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"Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle" (1928) – Tarzan discovers a hidden medieval city in Africa.
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"Tarzan and the Forbidden City" (1938) – Tarzan is caught between warring factions in a secret city.
3. Expanding the Barsoom (Mars) Series (1920s–1940s)
While Tarzan was his biggest moneymaker, Burroughs continued the John Carter of Mars series:
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"The Chessmen of Mars" (1922) – Features an epic battle fought like a chess game.
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"Swords of Mars" (1936) – John Carter becomes a spy on Mars.
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"Llana of Gathol" (1948) – A collection of novellas featuring Carter’s granddaughter.
Legacy of Barsoom:
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Became a major influence on science fiction—inspiring Flash Gordon, Star Wars, and Avatar.
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His romanticized view of Mars helped shape early sci-fi depictions of the planet.
4. New Sci-Fi & Adventure Series
Burroughs didn’t just stick to Tarzan and John Carter. He created:
Pellucidar Series (1914–1944)
A world set inside a hollow Earth, filled with dinosaurs and ancient civilizations. Key books:
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At the Earth’s Core (1914)
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Pellucidar (1915)
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Tarzan at the Earth’s Core (1929) – A crossover where Tarzan visits Pellucidar.
Venus Series (1930s–1940s)
A Barsoom-like adventure but set on Venus, featuring hero Carson Napier. Key books:
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Pirates of Venus (1934)
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Lost on Venus (1935)
Caspak Trilogy (1918–1924)
A trilogy about a mysterious island where evolution happens in real-time, featuring:
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The Land That Time Forgot (1918)
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The People That Time Forgot (1918)
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Out of Time’s Abyss (1924)
5. Burroughs as a Businessman: Founding Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
By the 1920s, Burroughs was so successful that he became one of the first authors to incorporate himself:
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Founded Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. (1923) – Let him control his own publishing, movies, and merchandise.
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Bought land in California (Tarzana, 1927) – Named after his famous character, it later became the Los Angeles suburb of Tarzana.
Significance:
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Allowed him to profit directly from adaptations of his works.
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Set a precedent for modern authors controlling their intellectual property.
6. Final Years & World War II (1940s)
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Served as a war correspondent during WWII (1942–1945) – Despite being in his late 60s, he reported on Pacific battles.
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Continued writing until his death – His last published novel, Llana of Gathol, came out in 1948.
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Died on March 19, 1950, at age 74.
Burroughs' Lasting Impact
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Created some of the most iconic characters in pulp fiction history (Tarzan, John Carter, Carson Napier).
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Influenced science fiction, fantasy, and adventure storytelling.
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Pioneered multimedia franchising—his business model inspired future authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and George Lucas.
Would you like an analysis of how his work influenced later writers and filmmakers?
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Yes.
Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Influence on Later Writers & Filmmakers
Burroughs' impact extends far beyond his own era—his works laid the foundation for modern science fiction, fantasy, and adventure storytelling. His influence can be seen in pulp fiction, comic books, blockbuster films, and even video games.
1. Influence on Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers
Burroughs' John Carter of Mars and Pellucidar series shaped the science-fantasy genre, directly inspiring:
Ray Bradbury (The Martian Chronicles, 1950)
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Bradbury called Burroughs' Mars books his earliest sci-fi influence.
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The Martian Chronicles reflects Burroughs' romanticized view of Mars—ancient civilizations, lost knowledge, and desert landscapes.
Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968)
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Clarke admired Burroughs' Barsoom books, especially their exotic alien worlds.
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2001 features mystical elements similar to Burroughs' depiction of ancient Martian knowledge.
Robert E. Howard (Conan the Barbarian, 1932)
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Howard’s Conan stories reflect Burroughs’ style:
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A heroic warrior wandering through lost civilizations.
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Savage settings mixed with romanticized adventure.
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Michael Moorcock (Elric of Melniboné, 1961)
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Elric was influenced by John Carter—a lonely, powerful swordsman caught between worlds.
2. Influence on Comic Books & Superheroes
Burroughs' heroes influenced early comic book creators, shaping some of the most iconic characters:
Superman (1938, Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster)
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John Carter’s leaping ability on Mars inspired Superman’s early "able to leap tall buildings" power.
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Like John Carter, Superman is a stranger from another world who becomes a protector.
Batman (1939, Bob Kane & Bill Finger)
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Tarzan’s self-made physical prowess influenced Batman’s training and survival skills.
Black Panther (1966, Stan Lee & Jack Kirby)
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Wakanda, with its hidden, advanced African civilization, mirrors lost cities in Tarzan.
Spider-Man (1962, Stan Lee & Steve Ditko)
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Tarzan’s jungle agility influenced Spider-Man’s acrobatic movement.
3. Influence on Movies & Blockbuster Filmmakers
Burroughs’ pulp adventure storytelling set the stage for modern blockbuster filmmaking.
Star Wars (1977, George Lucas)
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John Carter of Mars influenced:
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The desert landscapes of Tatooine, resembling Barsoom.
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The princess-warrior archetype (Dejah Thoris → Princess Leia).
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The mix of sci-fi and swashbuckling action.
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Indiana Jones (1981, Steven Spielberg & George Lucas)
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Inspired by Burroughs’ Tarzan and lost-world stories:
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Treasure hunts & jungle expeditions.
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Ancient cities and secret cults.
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Avatar (2009, James Cameron)
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Heavily inspired by John Carter of Mars:
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A human soldier joins an alien civilization.
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Exotic, vibrant alien landscapes.
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Jurassic Park (1993, Steven Spielberg)
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Burroughs' Pellucidar and The Land That Time Forgot featured prehistoric creatures surviving in hidden worlds—a concept used in Jurassic Park.
Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok (2017, Taika Waititi)
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Gladiatorial arena battles in an alien world echo John Carter’s "The Gods of Mars".
4. Influence on Video Games
Burroughs' legacy extends into modern video games, influencing:
Tomb Raider & Uncharted (1996–present)
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Treasure-hunting heroes exploring ancient civilizations.
Prince of Persia (1989–present)
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Acrobatics and exotic desert settings influenced by John Carter.
The Legend of Zelda (1986–present)
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The adventurer-in-a-lost-world theme echoes Tarzan’s journey.
5. Legacy in Modern Fiction
Burroughs' pulp storytelling formula—exotic settings, swashbuckling action, lost civilizations, and larger-than-life heroes—became the foundation of modern fantasy and sci-fi storytelling.
Would you like a breakdown of how his works have been adapted over the years in film, TV, and other media?
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Yes.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Adaptations in Film, TV, and Other Media
Burroughs' stories—especially Tarzan and John Carter of Mars—have been adapted into movies, TV series, comics, radio dramas, and even video games. His influence spans over a century of entertainment.
1. Tarzan Adaptations
Tarzan remains Burroughs' most adapted creation, with over 50 films and multiple TV series.
Silent Films (1918–1929)
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Tarzan of the Apes (1918) – The first Tarzan film, starring Elmo Lincoln.
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The Son of Tarzan (1920) – First sequel, featuring Tarzan’s son, Korak.
Classic Hollywood Era (1930s–1950s)
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Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) – Starring Johnny Weissmuller, the most famous Tarzan actor.
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Tarzan and His Mate (1934) – Notable for Jane’s daring nude swimming scene.
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Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) – Tarzan fights to rescue his son in New York City.
Television (1950s–1970s)
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Tarzan (1966–1968) – Starring Ron Ely, one of the most famous TV versions.
Animated Adaptations
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Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976–1978) – Filmation’s animated series.
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Disney’s Tarzan (1999) – A blockbuster animated film, with sequels and a TV series.
Modern Live-Action Films
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Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984) – A serious, dramatic retelling starring Christopher Lambert.
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The Legend of Tarzan (2016) – Starring Alexander Skarsgård and Margot Robbie, mixing historical elements with Burroughs' classic adventure themes.
2. John Carter of Mars Adaptations
Burroughs' Barsoom series—featuring John Carter—was a major influence on science fiction, but struggled in Hollywood.
Early Attempts (1930s–2000s)
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A 1936 serial by Bob Clampett was planned but canceled.
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Walt Disney and other studios tried multiple times to make a film but failed.
John Carter (2012, Disney)
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Finally adapted into a $250 million film starring Taylor Kitsch as John Carter.
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Directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo).
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Despite faithful adaptation, the film flopped at the box office, though it later gained a cult following.
3. Pellucidar & Other Stories Adaptations
At the Earth's Core (1976)
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Starring Doug McClure and Peter Cushing.
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Features a lost world beneath Earth’s crust with dinosaurs and intelligent reptiles.
The Land That Time Forgot (1975)
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A cult classic lost-world adventure.
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Features World War I soldiers discovering dinosaurs on a remote island.
The People That Time Forgot (1977)
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Sequel to The Land That Time Forgot.
4. Influence on Radio, Comics, and Video Games
Radio Adaptations (1930s–1950s)
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Tarzan of the Apes was a popular radio serial featuring adventure stories.
Comic Book Adaptations
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Tarzan comics (1929–present) – Various publishers, including DC Comics, Marvel, and Dark Horse.
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John Carter comics – Marvel, Dynamite, and other publishers have adapted Barsoom stories.
Video Games
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Disney’s Tarzan (1999) – Based on the animated film.
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Tarzan: Untamed (2001) – A PlayStation 2 and GameCube action game.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Burroughs’ Works
Despite the rise of modern sci-fi and fantasy franchises, Burroughs' creations—especially Tarzan and John Carter—continue to inspire filmmakers, writers, and game developers. Disney still owns the rights to John Carter, meaning future adaptations remain possible.
Would you like a list of John Carter books in order, or a breakdown of how Hollywood mishandled the John Carter film?
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Both of them in detail.
John Carter of Mars: Book Series in Order & Hollywood’s Failure
Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars series is one of the most influential science-fantasy sagas, inspiring everything from Star Wars to Avatar. However, Hollywood's long history of failed adaptations culminated in John Carter (2012), a box office disaster despite being a faithful adaptation.
Part 1: John Carter of Mars Book Series in Order
The Barsoom series spans eleven books, following John Carter, a Confederate soldier who mysteriously teleports to Mars (called Barsoom by its inhabitants). There, he becomes a legendary warrior, marries the Martian princess Dejah Thoris, and battles alien civilizations.
1. A Princess of Mars (1912)
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The first book, introducing John Carter, Dejah Thoris, and the Green Martians (Tharks).
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Carter, stranded on Mars, gains superhuman abilities due to lower gravity.
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He rescues Dejah Thoris, a Red Martian princess, and falls in love.
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Ends with Mars' atmosphere machine failing, leaving a cliffhanger.
2. The Gods of Mars (1913)
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Carter returns to Mars after 10 years and discovers the sinister Therns, a false religious order enslaving Martians.
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He fights against the Black Pirates of Mars (First Born) and learns of a hidden paradise, the Valley Dor.
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Ends with Dejah Thoris trapped in a Temple of Doom-style death chamber.
3. The Warlord of Mars (1913)
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Carter battles martial-arts-wielding White Martians (the Okar) to rescue Dejah.
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He unites Mars’ warring races and becomes Warlord of Barsoom.
4. Thuvia, Maid of Mars (1916)
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Focuses on Carthoris, John Carter’s son.
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Introduces Lotharians, telepathic Martians who create phantom armies.
5. The Chessmen of Mars (1922)
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Features Carter’s daughter, Tara of Helium, and Martian chess (Jetan) played with live warriors.
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Introduces brain-stealing Kaldanes, spider-like beings who attach to human bodies.
6. The Master Mind of Mars (1927)
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A new Earthman, Ulysses Paxton, arrives on Mars.
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He helps a mad scientist who transplants brains between bodies.
7. A Fighting Man of Mars (1930)
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Explores advanced Martian technology, including invisibility cloaks and teleportation guns.
8. Swords of Mars (1934)
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Carter infiltrates a Martian crime syndicate and fights assassins.
9. Synthetic Men of Mars (1939)
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Introduces horrifying Martian clones, grown in vats by scientists.
10. Llana of Gathol (1948)
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A collection of four connected novellas featuring Carter’s granddaughter, Llana.
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Features an ancient Martian city frozen in time.
11. John Carter of Mars (1964, posthumous)
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Contains two unfinished stories:
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John Carter and the Giant of Mars (written by Burroughs' son).
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Skeleton Men of Jupiter, Burroughs' final Barsoom story.
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Part 2: Hollywood’s Mishandling of John Carter
Despite its influence on Star Wars and Avatar, John Carter (2012) bombed, losing Disney $200 million. Why?
1. The Production Hell (1930s–2000s)
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1930s: MGM considered a John Carter serial, but Flash Gordon won out.
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1950s–80s: Disney, Paramount, and others tried, but costs were too high.
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2000s: Jon Favreau (Iron Man) pitched John Carter, but it went to Pixar’s Andrew Stanton.
2. What Went Wrong?
A. Disney’s Marketing Disaster
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Dropped ‘of Mars’ from the title – making it sound generic.
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No clear marketing – trailers didn’t explain the plot, and Disney barely promoted it.
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Bad release timing – it came out between The Hunger Games and The Avengers.
B. Budget Issues & Production Overruns
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Started at $150M but ballooned to $250M due to reshoots.
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Andrew Stanton (director) insisted on Pixar-style reshoots, delaying the film.
C. A Decade Too Late
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Star Wars, Avatar, and Dune had already copied its ideas, making John Carter seem derivative—even though it inspired them first.
D. The Film Itself
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Too much exposition, confusing casual audiences.
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Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) lacked star power, hurting ticket sales.
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Martian designs were too alien, making the world feel unfamiliar.
Part 3: Could John Carter Be Redeemed?
Despite failing at the box office, John Carter has a cult following. Could it be revived?
1. Disney Still Owns the Rights
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Disney lost money on the first film, so they let the rights lapse back to the Burroughs estate.
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In 2020, Burroughs' estate announced plans for a new adaptation, but no studio has picked it up yet.
2. Streaming Reboot?
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A TV series on Disney+ or Netflix could explore Barsoom at a slower pace.
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Example: Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – massive budget, serialized format.
3. A Proper Rebranding
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Use ‘John Carter of Mars’ in the title.
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Market it as ‘the sci-fi epic that inspired Star Wars and Avatar.’
Would you like a fan casting for a John Carter reboot, or a breakdown of how the books could be adapted properly?
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A breakdown of how the books could be adapted properly.
How to Properly Adapt John Carter of Mars
A successful John Carter of Mars adaptation must balance faithfulness to Burroughs' books with modern storytelling techniques to attract new audiences. The biggest failure of John Carter (2012) was its rushed pacing, poor marketing, and overcomplicated exposition. Here's how a proper adaptation could work:
Step 1: Format – Movie Trilogy vs. TV Series?
Option 1: TV Series (Best Choice)
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A prestige sci-fi series on Netflix, Amazon, or HBO Max.
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Each season follows one book, ensuring depth without rushing.
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Allows world-building, deep character arcs, and episodic storytelling.
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Example: The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, Dune: Prophecy.
Option 2: Movie Trilogy (More Risky)
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Three films covering the first three books (A Princess of Mars, The Gods of Mars, The Warlord of Mars).
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Faster pacing but risks losing depth if rushed.
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Example: Dune (2021) split into two movies instead of cramming it into one.
Best Choice: TV series for proper storytelling depth.
Step 2: Story Breakdown – Which Books to Adapt?
A proper adaptation should focus on the first three books, which form a cohesive arc:
Season 1: A Princess of Mars
Main Focus:
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John Carter’s arrival on Mars and discovery of his superhuman strength.
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His bond with the Tharks (Green Martians).
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His romance with Dejah Thoris, princess of Helium.
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Ending: The Martian atmosphere machine fails, leaving a major cliffhanger.
Modern Fixes:
✔ Expand Dejah Thoris’ role—make her an active participant rather than a damsel.
✔ Make Thark society more complex—deepen their warrior culture.
Season 2: The Gods of Mars
Main Focus:
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John Carter returns to Mars after 10 years and discovers The Valley Dor.
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Introduces the Therns, a powerful religious cult tricking Martians into worshiping them.
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Introduces The First Born, the black-skinned pirates of Mars.
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Ends with Dejah Thoris trapped inside an impenetrable prison.
Modern Fixes:
✔ Make the Therns’ religion feel like a deep, manipulative theocracy—commentary on cults.
✔ Develop Xodar, the Black Martian pirate, as a true antihero.
Season 3: The Warlord of Mars
Main Focus:
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John Carter rescues Dejah Thoris after battling the White Martians (Okarians) in the Arctic.
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Carter unites Mars’ warring nations to overthrow the Therns.
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Becomes the Warlord of Barsoom, ruler of all Mars.
Modern Fixes:
✔ Develop John Carter’s leadership arc—he goes from a warrior to a strategist.
✔ Give Dejah Thoris and the Red Martians a larger role in the war.
Step 3: World-Building – A Cinematic Mars (Barsoom)
Burroughs' Mars (Barsoom) is a dying world, filled with ancient civilizations, airships, and warring tribes. A proper adaptation should make it feel vast and immersive.
1. Mars’ Unique Landscape
✔ Giant dry ocean beds and towering Martian ruins.
✔ Canals, remnants of a lost Martian empire.
✔ Floating cities and underground fortresses (Therns’ secret hideouts).
2. Distinct Martian Races
✔ Green Martians (Tharks) – Four-armed nomadic warriors.
✔ Red Martians – Civilized, human-like with airships.
✔ White Martians (Okarians) – Isolated, cold and calculating.
✔ Black Martians (First Born) – Pirate-sorcerers, rulers of the hidden underworld.
✔ Therns – Religious fanatics controlling false afterlife beliefs.
Step 4: Casting – The Right John Carter & Dejah Thoris
John Carter:
✔ Needs an actor with charisma, action skills, and a rugged look.
✔ Better choice than Taylor Kitsch (2012).
Top Picks:
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Henry Cavill (Man of Steel – has the look & presence).
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Jensen Ackles (The Boys – good mix of warrior & charm).
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Sam Worthington (Avatar – familiar with sci-fi epics).
Dejah Thoris:
✔ Needs exotic beauty + warrior intelligence.
✔ Shouldn’t be a passive princess, but an active heroine.
Top Picks:
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Eiza González (Godzilla x Kong – exotic look, action skills).
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Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman – regal & powerful presence).
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Sophia Boutella (Rebel Moon – has the right sci-fi aesthetic).
Step 5: Fixing the Action & Combat
✔ John Carter’s fighting skills should be unique—use his superhuman jumping ability creatively.
✔ Large-scale airship battles like Dune: Part Two.
✔ Brutal arena fights like Gladiator.
Step 6: Fixing the Marketing – How to Sell John Carter
Disney’s 2012 mistake? They didn’t tell people why it mattered.
Better Marketing Strategy:
✔ “Before Star Wars, Before Avatar, There Was John Carter of Mars” (connect it to its sci-fi legacy).
✔ Release a graphic novel series first to reintroduce the story.
✔ Target fantasy & sci-fi fans (Dune, Game of Thrones, Star Wars audiences).
Final Verdict – A John Carter of Mars Revival?
A TV series is the best approach, allowing for:
✔ Deeper world-building.
✔ Properly paced storytelling.
✔ Stronger character development.
If done right, John Carter of Mars could finally get the epic sci-fi adaptation it deserves—not a rushed, forgotten Disney experiment.
Would you like a detailed season-by-season breakdown or a full screenplay treatment for an episode?
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Just an example of a full screenplay treatment or an episode.
Here’s a screenplay treatment for the pilot episode of a proper John Carter of Mars TV adaptation. It covers his arrival on Mars, his first encounter with the Tharks, and his discovery of superhuman strength due to Mars' lower gravity.
Pilot Episode: "A Stranger on Barsoom"
Episode Length: ~60 minutes
Setting: Arizona, 1866 → Mars (Barsoom)
Opening Scene: The Desert Duel (Arizona, 1866)
EXT. ARIZONA DESERT – NIGHT
A dying campfire flickers. JOHN CARTER (mid-30s, rugged, former Confederate cavalry officer) kneels beside his fallen Apache pursuers, blood on his hands. His face is exhausted, hardened by war.
His horse lies dead nearby, arrows in its flank. He checks his Colt revolver—one bullet left.
Suddenly—hoofbeats.
Carter turns. On a ridge, Union soldiers led by COLONEL POWELL aim rifles at him.
POWELL
(grim)
John Carter, you're under arrest. Surrender.
Carter grips his revolver. Behind him—Apache warriors approach. He's trapped.
Scene 2: The Cave of Gold
INT. CAVE – NIGHT
Carter, bloodied, escapes into a cavern, pursued by Union soldiers. He stumbles onto a pile of gold, untouched for centuries.
He finds a strange medallion—gold, covered in Martian glyphs.
Before he can react—a dying Apache warrior lunges, chanting something unearthly. The man grips Carter’s chest—
FLASH OF LIGHT.
Scene 3: Arrival on Mars (Barsoom)
EXT. MARTIAN DESERT – DAY
Carter awakens in a red desert. Two moons hang in the crimson sky. His clothes are tattered, his body feels different—lighter.
He stands—then jumps 50 feet into the air.
He lands, stunned. He tries again—soaring like a god.
Scene 4: First Contact with the Tharks
EXT. MARTIAN BADLANDS – LATER
Carter sees giant green-skinned warriors (THARKS) riding six-legged beasts. Their leader, TARS TARKAS, a battle-hardened warrior, raises a massive rifle.
TARS TARKAS
(grinning, in alien speech)
He leaps like a Thark child.
The Tharks capture Carter, chaining him.
Scene 5: The Arena (Carter’s First Battle)
INT. THARK ARENA – NIGHT
Carter stands alone in a sand pit. A massive white ape, 20 feet tall, roars from its cage.
SOLA, a Thark woman, whispers from the stands.
SOLA
(soft, urgent)
Jump.
The ape charges. Carter leaps—soaring over it. The Tharks gasp.
Carter grabs a fallen spear—and impales the ape mid-air, killing it instantly.
The crowd erupts. Tars Tarkas watches with calculating interest.
Final Scene: The Shadow of Helium
EXT. SKY ABOVE BARSOOM – NIGHT
A massive airship, bearing the red banners of Helium, glides through the sky.
Inside, DEJAH THORIS, a striking warrior-princess, studies a holographic map—her city is under siege.
Her advisor speaks gravely.
ADVISOR
The Zodangans are coming, Princess. We cannot hold out much longer.
Dejah grips the hilt of her sword—determined.
DEJAH THORIS
Then we must find another way.
The airship flies toward the burning city of Helium, as Carter, unaware, is now part of Mars' fate.
FADE TO BLACK.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Would you like a full script version with detailed dialogue, or just treatments for future episodes?
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I wouldn't mind seeing that. Do a full script version with detailed dialogue, and we'll stop after this.
I'll draft a full script version of the pilot episode with detailed dialogue. Stay tuned.
John Carter Pilot
FADE IN:
### EXT. ARIZONA DESERT – NIGHT ###
A dying campfire flickers. **JOHN CARTER** (mid-30s, rugged, ex-Confederate cavalry officer) kneels beside the bodies of **Apache pursuers**, blood on his hands. His **horse lies dead** nearby, arrows in its flank.
He checks his Colt revolver—**one bullet left**. Hoofbeats. He turns. On a ridge, **UNION SOLDIERS** led by **COLONEL POWELL** aim rifles at him.
**POWELL**
*(grim)*
John Carter, you're under arrest. Surrender.
Carter grips his revolver. Behind him—**Apache warriors approach**. Trapped.
CUT TO:
### INT. CAVE OF GOLD – NIGHT ###
Carter, bloodied, **escapes into a cavern**, pursued by Union soldiers. He stumbles onto **a pile of gold**, untouched for centuries.
He picks up a **strange medallion**—gold, covered in **Martian glyphs**.
Suddenly—**a dying Apache warrior lunges** at him, chanting something **unearthly**. The man grips Carter’s chest—
**FLASH OF LIGHT.**
CUT TO:
### EXT. MARTIAN DESERT – DAY ###
Carter **awakens in a red desert**. Two moons hang in the **crimson sky**. His clothes are tattered, his **body feels lighter**.
He stands—then **jumps 50 feet into the air.**
He lands, stunned. Tries again—**soaring like a god.**
Carter: *(whispering)* What in hell…?
CUT TO:
### EXT. MARTIAN BADLANDS – LATER ###
**THARKS**—giant green warriors riding **six-legged beasts**—emerge. Their leader, **TARS TARKAS**, studies Carter.
**TARS TARKAS**
*(grinning, in alien speech)*
He leaps like a Thark child.
The Tharks **capture Carter**, chaining him.
CUT TO:
### INT. THARK ARENA – NIGHT ###
Carter stands **alone in a sand pit**. A **white ape**, 20 feet tall, **roars from its cage**.
**SOLA**, a Thark woman, whispers from the stands.
**SOLA**
*(urgent, soft)*
Jump.
The ape **charges.** Carter **leaps—soaring over it.** The Tharks gasp.
He **grabs a spear mid-air**—and **impales the ape’s skull**. The beast collapses.
The Tharks **erupt in cheers.** Tars Tarkas watches with **calculating interest.**
CUT TO:
### EXT. SKY ABOVE BARSOOM – NIGHT ###
A **massive airship**, bearing the **red banners of Helium**, glides through the sky.
Inside, **DEJAH THORIS**, a striking warrior-princess, studies a **holographic map**—her city is **under siege**.
**ADVISOR**
The Zodangans are coming, Princess. We cannot hold out much longer.
Dejah grips the **hilt of her sword**—determined.
**DEJAH THORIS**
Then we must find another way.
The airship flies toward the **burning city of Helium**. Carter, unaware, is now part of Mars' fate.
FADE TO BLACK.
**TO BE CONTINUED…**
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