John Carter 2 was a planned sequel to the 2012 science fiction film John Carter, directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The original movie was based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel A Princess of Mars and was intended to launch a film trilogy. Despite the ambition and rich source material, the first film underperformed at the box office, earning less than its massive production and marketing costs. As a result, Disney decided not to move forward with the sequel.
The planned sequel was titled John Carter: The Gods of Mars and would have continued the story of the former Confederate soldier John Carter as he navigates the complex political and mystical landscape of Mars, known as Barsoom. Director Andrew Stanton had already begun developing the story, which was meant to explore deeper layers of Martian culture, introduce new alien species, and continue the arc of Carter’s relationship with Dejah Thoris. The sequel would also have featured Carter’s and Dejah’s son, Carthoris, playing a key role.
Despite the creative team’s enthusiasm and the cliffhanger ending of the first film, the sequel was never greenlit. The main reason was the commercial failure of John Carter, which was one of the biggest box office losses in Disney history. In 2014, the rights to the John Carter stories reverted from Disney back to the Burroughs estate, officially ending any chances of Disney continuing the series.
Over the years, fans have continued to express interest in a sequel, and John Carter has developed a cult following. Some early concept art, plot details, and interviews with the original cast and crew have since emerged, giving fans a glimpse of what the sequel might have looked like. Lead actor Taylor Kitsch, who played John Carter, has stated he would only return for a sequel if Andrew Stanton directed it.
Although there is no official John Carter 2 in development today, the idea remains alive in the imagination of its fans. Occasionally, fan-made trailers or rumors spark excitement online, but so far, no studio has taken on the project. Unless the franchise is revived by a new creative team or streaming platform, John Carter 2 will likely remain an ambitious sequel that was never realized.