© Walt Disney Pictures

The estate of Edgar Rice Burroughs has reclaimed the film rights to the author's pulp sci-fi John Carter of Mars series from Disney, and is planning on rebooting the series with new studio partners.

Burroughs created the John Carter character and the surrounding mythology of Mars -- named Barsoom by its own inhabitants -- in 1911. Carter himself was a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War, transported to Mars after his apparent death on Earth and becoming a saviour to the people there. First published as serial pulps beginning in 1912, a total of eleven novels built up a romantic but savage history for the world, filling it with incredible creatures, despicable villains, and eventually Carter's own descendants.


In a statement, James Sullos, President of Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc, said: "John Carter of Mars was the creative stimulus behind such movie classics as Superman, Star Wars and Avatar. Burroughs was the master of adventure and his literary works continue to enjoy a worldwide following. We will be seeking a new partner to help develop new adventures on film as chronicled in the eleven Mars novels Burroughs wrote. This adventure never stops. Along with a new Tarzan film in development by Warner Bros, we hope to have John Carter of Mars become another major franchise to entertain worldwide audiences of all ages."

Disney produced the 2012 John Carter film, and although it was a special effects tour de force, its messy script meant it failed to connect with audiences.

Frankly, calling it simply "John Carter" robbed the movie of much of its appeal too -- the traditional "Warlord of Mars" suffix is far more exciting than some bloke's name and would likely have drawn a few more curious eyes, especially when Burroughs' Barsoom series isn't the household name that Tarzan is.

The estate hasn't yet announced who its partners will be in developing the new John Carter movies, or a timeline for the hero's return to the screen. However, the current collaboration with Warner Bros and Sullos' positive wording certainly indicate good odds on that studio, particularly if the planned 2016 Tarzan film is a success. Considering the only other movie made from the Barsoom novels besides Disney's is the low-budget Princess of Mars, whoever ends up bringing John Carter back to the screen should easily be able to improve on their predecessors.