John Carter's Creator

[white avenger]

For the probably 3 people on the Boards not aware of my long time obsession with Edgar Rice Burroughs in general and John Carter in particular, I found this article explaining just what an impact Mr Burroughs has had upon the 20th Century and some comments by a few of my fellow fans. Read, enjoy, become impressed, and PLEASE take all of your friends to see the movie so that the sequel will be made.

http://thejohncarterfiles.com/the-influence-of-edgar-rice-burroughs/

(Please note that there are links to the Library Of Congress sites where you can read the whole initial Mars trilogy for free, which I also urge you to do)

 

[Mr Giles]

Dunno, i saw the trailer, put me off. Also, a movie called John Carter? Might as well be call David Smith. 😉

 

[white avenger]

Dunno, i saw the trailer, put me off. Also, a movie called John Carter? Might as well be call David Smith. 😉

From what I understand, the original title actually WAS supposed to be "John Carter Of Mars," but there was concern that our current scientific knowledge of Mars (that it is a dead, lifeless planet, with no standing water or even rudimentary plant life) would have been a put off. Also, it was supposed to signify (a point totally lost on most viewers) that John Carter wasn't just a man without a family, friends, home, or country at the beginning of the movie, he was literally a man without a WORLD. That is why, at the end of the movie, he IS referred to as "John Carter Of Mars," signifying that, finally, he has found the woman who he can love, a nation to belong to, and a world where he truly belongs. (Which, incidentally, was also the case of Jake Sully, the protagonist of "Avatar," which Cameron himself acknowledges as being inspired by his childhood admiration of Edgar Rice Burroughs and ... SURPRISE ... John Carter)

As I say, the significance of all of that is missed by most viewers, but for us who know and love the world of Barsoom and its mightiest hero, is very obvious, significant, and appropriate.

 

[Taake]

I've seen the trailer and I'm pretty excited to see it, though I am not as well aware of the backstory as you are 🙂 I have not been waiting for this movie, but it seemed like one of the best things out there now judging by trailers.

I also like the actor who's the lead, so I'm hoping he'll do a good job and that I'll enjoy the story even if I don't know much about the background.