After years adrift in cinematic limbo following Disney’s ambitious yet commercially disappointing John Carter (2012), Edgar Rice Burroughs’ legendary John Carter of Mars saga is finally staging a comeback.
Per The Wrap, a brand-new animated series has officially been announced, developed by the Burroughs estate and helmed by veteran showrunner Michael Kogge. The project aims to reintroduce the classic pulp hero to audiences through a bold, visually rich animated format.
Kogge is an author and screenwriter most known for several Star Wars companion books and the John Carter of Mars audio books.
The first look at the series is set to debut during a Burroughs-themed panel at San Diego Comic-Con, this Friday.
John Carter of Mars follows a Civil War veteran who finds himself transported to the alien world of Barsoom. There, he becomes a fearless warrior, contending with bizarre alien creatures, navigating warring civilizations, and falling in love with the fierce Dejah Thoris.
While on Mars, John Carter gains powers similar to the early Action Comics days of Superman, a fact that has led most historians to agree that Edgar Rice Burroughs' serial was a significant influence on Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster when they created the Man of Steel.
The series has also inspired the likes of Conan the Barbarian, Flash Gordon, and more recently James Cameron's Avatar film series.
While Burroughs’ influence on science fiction and fantasy is undeniable, the property has historically struggled to thrive on screen. The 2012 live-action film immediately comes to mind. Though visually ambitious and boasting a devoted fanbase, it bombed at the box office and shelved any sequel plans.
This new animated take aims to avoid past pitfalls by embracing the limitless potential of modern animation.
In a press statement, Kogge expressed excitement about the format, stating, "In this era of incredible animation, with shows like ‘Castlevania,’ ‘Blood of Zeus’ and ‘Twilight of the Gods’ pushing the genre of fantasy action-adventure to new heights, there couldn’t be a better time for the Martian saga of John Carter and Princess Dejah Thoris to be told through bold, ground-breaking animation."
Jim Sullos and Wolf Larson, of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. will also be invovled in the project.
In a press statement, Sullos added, "The explosive rise of action-adventure animation has captivated audiences around the world, making it the perfect moment to launch our John Carter animated series. This marks a new era in storytelling for the Edgar Rice Burroughs universe and we’re excited that Michael Kogge will help bring Mars to life."
The project doesn't appear to have a studio home yet (or at least one that's announced) so stay tuned to SFF Gazette as we'll have updated coverage from the panel in case there's a major announcement.