John Carter of Mars

[Edgy MD]

Grizzled and grouchy Confederate Civil War veteran doesn't really know why he ended up on Mars, but there he is, and he's not really interested in fighting their wars for them. But he's got this awesome earth skill set and, just like Earth, everybody wants him on their side. How about that.

Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton directs the Disney adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs story.

[Frayed Knot]

I remember critical reviews calling this one one of the worst movies in history. OK, at least one of the worst of the year.
Seemed to me like a entry-level vehicle for the heart-throb from 'Friday Night Lights' (the TV show) to get his first lead role, naturally with his shirt off much of the time.

[Edgy MD]

The thing is that he's the same guy as he was in Friday Night Lights, and pretty much the same guy he was in Battleship.

This wasn't as bad as all that. It had a fun computerized toad-dog-thing.

[Vic Sage]

the critics were wrong, and this was a perfectly enjoyable SF epic.

And if they had called it, oh i don't know, WARLORD OF MARS (!) or something, instead of titling it after the name of ERB's secondary fantasy hero from 100 years ago that has been relatively obscure for decades, it might've sold a few tickets.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, I thought it more or less OK, too. And I ain't charitable with Disneyfare.

It makes me sad when I see a film produced as the pilot to a serial, and then realize that, as passable as it was, the failure at the box office promises that the serial is never going to happen.

(Though I've little doubt that subsequent installments would deliver less.)

[Vic Sage]

i remember a thread about that; intended franchises that were sunk by the failure of the first installment. REMO WILLIAMS, HOWARD THE DUCK, etc.
This would jump up that list... in fact, given Carter's jumping ability, he should be able to get clear to the top.

[RealityChuck]

The actual movie wasn't all that bad. It was sunk by several factors:

1. Poor marketing. The early ads didn't show anything to get people excited.
   
2. Poor title. It's meaningless to most people. Those who knew who John Carter was are far too few.
   
3. Familiarity. The tropes of the film have been far too familiar. They should have indicated how this was the book that influenced Star Wars and other films, not an imitation of them.
   
4. Issues with the special effects for the ads. John Carter leaping just looks fake. Stick with the space battles, or the fight with the white ape.
   
5. The costuming, especially Dejah Thoris. If she had worn what she wore in the books, the movie would have been a hit. (See below)

[Guest themetfairy]

That looks painful.