Disney Signs On with "John Carter of Mars"

Not too long ago Jon Favreau was this close to directing "John Carter of Mars" for Paramount Pictures, but the studio let their option on the property lapse — and we pretty much thought the project was full-bore comatose. But now it looks like Disney wants the material!

Based on the 11-chapter series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, "Carter" focuses on, well, I’ll let Variety describe the plot for you: "Pic begins with a Civil War veteran whose retreat into a cave to avoid capture by Apache Indians takes an otherworldly turn as he’s transported via time portal to the planet of Barsoom and taken prisoner by 12-foot-tall green men." Neato!

And based on what I’ve heard from other people about the series, they’d make for some really fantastic movies. Obviously Disney is thinking full-on franchise for this property. The studio hasn’t closed the deal just yet with the Burroughs estate, but that seems to be just a technicality at this point.

So for those who are familiar with the series, I have a question: Who should direct it, and who should star? Me, I may just go dig up the first book or two…

(Special note: I used a pic of "John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars" because it’s the closest thing we have to "John Carter of Mars." Check back in a year or two for the actual poster.)