JOHN CARTER 2: WARLORD OF MARS (2026)
🔥 JOHN CARTER: GODS OF MARS & WARLORD OF MARS – THE EPIC SEQUELS THAT NEVER WERE 🚀
Get ready to journey back to the red sands of Barsoom! While John Carter 2: Gods of Mars and John Carter 3: Warlord of Mars were envisioned as the next chapters in the thrilling saga of John Carter, these films never made it to the big screen after the 2012 John Carter film’s box office struggles. Directed by Andrew Stanton, these planned sequels promised to expand the interstellar adventure with breathtaking action, deep emotional stakes, and a richly crafted world inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs’ iconic Barsoom series. Here’s an in-depth look at what could have been—a cosmic tale of heroism, family, and the fight to save a dying planet! 🎬🌌
John Carter 2: Gods of Mars
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Synopsis: Picking up ten years after the events of John Carter (2012), Gods of Mars would have opened with a powerful prologue narrated by Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins), the fierce Princess of Helium. She recounts the history of Barsoom to her child, Carthoris, the son of John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) and Dejah, revealing that Carter has been absent for a decade, leaving his family behind. The story unfolds as Carter returns to Mars, only to discover that Carthoris has been kidnapped by the manipulative Therns, led by the sinister Matai Shang (Mark Strong). The Therns have accelerated Carthoris’ aging, turning him into an adult warrior sent to kill his own father in a twisted bid to destabilize Barsoom. Carter must navigate treacherous alliances, battle fearsome creatures, and reunite with his wife and son amidst a brewing interstellar conflict. Packed with dazzling CGI, epic sword fights, and soaring airship battles, this sequel promised to deepen the mythology of Barsoom while exploring themes of family and redemption. 🚀👑
Why It Would Have Been Epic: Director Andrew Stanton envisioned a visually spectacular sequel that built on the first film’s cliffhanger, where Carter tricked Matai Shang and returned to Mars. The emotional core of the story—Carter’s reunion with his grown son and Dejah—would have added heart to the high-stakes action. Expect gravity-defying leaps, massive gladiatorial battles, and a deeper dive into the Tharks’ culture, with Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) returning as a key ally.
What to Imagine: Picture Carter soaring through Barsoom’s skies on a futuristic airship, clashing with Thern shapeshifters in a city of ancient ruins, and facing off against his own son in a heart-wrenching duel under the twin moons of Mars.
John Carter 3: Warlord of Mars
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Synopsis: The trilogy’s grand finale, Warlord of Mars, would have seen John Carter racing against time to stop the Therns from destroying Barsoom entirely. Using their shapeshifting abilities, the Therns pose as leaders of Martian races, sowing discord and inciting war among the planet’s factions. Dejah Thoris invents a device to detect the Therns’ disguises, but the enemy destroys it, pushing Barsoom to the brink of collapse. In a shocking twist, Carter is killed—or so it seems—only to awaken on Earth, revealing that his Martian body was a copy. With the help of his nephew, Edgar (a fictionalized Edgar Rice Burroughs), Carter follows the Therns’ trail back to Mars, carrying the last Thern detector to the planet’s highest peak. In an epic final battle, Carter defeats Matai Shang, unites the warring races of Barsoom, and earns the title of Warlord of Mars. This climactic chapter would have blended breathtaking action, political intrigue, and a triumphant resolution to Carter’s journey as a hero of two worlds. ⚔️🌍
Why It Would Have Been Epic: Warlord of Mars was set to be the ultimate payoff for the trilogy, with massive battles involving Thark armies, Zodangian airships, and Helium’s warriors. The stakes were higher than ever, with the fate of an entire planet hanging in the balance. Stanton’s vision included practical effects inspired by Planet of the Apes (1968) for the Tharks, combined with cutting-edge CGI for Barsoom’s alien landscapes, making it a visual feast. The emotional weight of Carter’s sacrifice and return would have resonated deeply with audiences.
What to Imagine: Envision a sprawling war across Barsoom’s deserts, with Carter leading a united army against Thern-controlled forces, culminating in a showdown atop a volcanic fortress as Mars’ twin moons illuminate the sky.
Why These Sequels Never Happened
Despite the ambitious plans, John Carter 2 and 3 were canceled due to the 2012 film’s disappointing box office performance. With a production budget of approximately $307 million, the first film grossed only $284 million worldwide, leading to a $200 million loss for Disney. Poor marketing, including the decision to drop “of Mars” from the title and vague trailers, alienated fans of Burroughs’ novels and failed to attract new audiences. By 2014, the film rights reverted to Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., and no major studio has since attempted a revival, though rumors of a Disney+ reboot persist.
Why Fans Still Dream of Barsoom
The John Carter saga, based on Burroughs’ Barsoom series, is a cornerstone of sci-fi, inspiring Star Wars, Avatar, and countless other stories. The 2012 film, despite its flaws, was praised for its stunning visuals, Michael Giacchino’s score, and thrilling action sequences. Fans like Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins have expressed enthusiasm for the unmade sequels, with Kitsch noting the “awesome” script for Gods of Mars and the emotional depth it promised. The rich mythology of Barsoom—complete with green-skinned Tharks, airships, and ancient cities—offers endless potential for epic storytelling.
🎥 What Could Have Been? John Carter: Gods of Mars and Warlord of Mars would have brought Barsoom to life with unparalleled spectacle and heart. While these films remain a dream, their unrealized stories remind us of the timeless appeal of John Carter’s adventures. Would you love to see a John Carter revival on the big screen or Disney+? Share your thoughts below and let’s keep the spirit of Barsoom alive! 👇 #JohnCarter #Barsoom #SciFiEpic
