John Carter of Mars

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Argh! I just want to scream. Here's a film series that has the potential to be a huge money-maker for the studio that greenlights it, not to mention be a blast for tons of sci-fi fans that just want to have fun in the theater again, but it's being held up by corporate America. <BR> <BR>Supposedly, Paramount inked a deal for the series of stories last year, but negotiations bogged down along the way. Disney also had their fingers in the pie, going so far as to tailor the lead character for Tom Cruise and get John McTiernan to helm. But that's it; that's all she wrote. Why? Well, there's a few legal roadblocks hanging over everybody's heads like a black cloud. Apparently, in some parts of the world - including North America, France and Germany - the books have become public domain, which creates potential snags for ancillary revenue streams. <BR> <BR>With all the popularity and money being made converting pulp comics into big budget juggernauts, you'd THINK they would have overcome the snags by now, or at least gotten the ball rolling beyond the cinematic equivalent of a pipe dream. C'mon gang, it's Edgar Rice Burroughs, for Pete's sake! <BR> <BR>*sigh*

[Jennifer Gray (Maurine)]

I know you will probably want to hurt me, but who is Edgar Rice Burroughs?

[Chris Ceraolo (Chris)]

Jen---RUN! <BR> <BR>Pat..now calm down, calm down. Yes, I know, Lit is wasted on the young.... <BR> <BR>In all seriousness. Burroughs wrote Tarzan. He wrote John Carter, basically was one of the godfathers of fantasy and science fiction world. <BR> <BR>Chris <BR>The All Knowing Fox Plant

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Well, that's just showing how young Jen is compared to ol' Agent Pat. <BR> <BR>*grin* <BR> <BR>I do believe I'LL do the running now. hehehe

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Wazzat you say? Hang on... Isa need to turn up my hearing aid. <BR> <BR>LOL ;o) <BR> <BR>As Chris said, Burroughs was the creator of the Tarzan series, as well as a few other classic stories. A quick bio can be read <A HREF="http://www.edgarriceburroughs.com/" TARGET="_top">here</A>, for those that are interested. <BR> <BR>In my very limited attempts to keep up with recent scuttlebutt involving planned comic book and super hero film realizations, it has occurred to me that discussion of the John Carter character has been sadly lacking in the sites I've visited, which is what led me to bring it up here. Don't mind me; I was just thinking out loud. ;o)

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Who or what exactly IS John Carter anyway? I've heard of Burroughs and Tarzan, but not Carter...

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

He's just a pulp sci-fi hero that Burroughs first wrote about some ninty years ago, kinda like a cross between Flash Gordon and Conan the Barbarian. <BR> <BR>See the potential here? 8-} <BR> <BR>Check out this <A HREF="http://home.attbi.com/~cjh5801a/Carter.htm" TARGET="_top">site</A> for a nice character synopsis.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Oh yeahhh, I can see where yer goin with this. *EG*

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Nope Sher, iz not what you're thinking. Kefla, on the other hand... <BR> <BR>LMAO!!

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

I must have missed John Carter, but was fairly mesmerized with the Tarzan. I think The Shadow was mostly a radio program (maybe before TV????) Its OK Pat, age is a relative thing anyway, depending on the day. There are days when I hear Grandpop from a little munchkins mouth and just sigh. Some days feel like a teenager..and those cut grape vines work almost as well as Tarzans ropes did!