BRAVE Director Mark Andrews Looks Back At JOHN CARTER And Expresses Interest In Sequels

Mark Andrews will make his directorial debut with Pixar's Brave, but he also played a role in the big screen adaptation of John Carter. In the following interview, he shares his thoughts on the failure of the movie and the chances of a second and third installment.

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By Josh Wilding - 6/21/2012

John Carter divided critics and failed to make a significant impact at the box office, but what does Brave director Mark Andrews make of this? After all, he did play a role in the early brainstorming stages of when the film was conceived (which he describes as, "a crazy experience") and told The Playlist recently that he believes most of the blame lies with Disney. "I was in denial for quite a bit and the studio pulled the plug on it a little prematurely and I think there were some mistakes in marketing. It was like 'Give it a chance! This thing is struggling to find itself! Hold on a little longer!' I think, ultimately, what's really interesting now is that it's the #1 pirated movie of all time. I think all the bad press has given it this mystique." Well, that's certainly one way of looking at it!

As for a sequel to the film, Andrews remains optimistic that he and director Andrew Stanton will re-team to work on a follow-up despite the fact that many have declared the film one of the biggest box office flops of all-time. "It's going to get its legs back and me and Andrew aren't done with that story yet and we really want to do two and three. There's some great stuff for John Carter as a hero to deal with in the future. We're ready to go. As soon as somebody from Disney says, 'We want 'John Carter 2,'' we'd be right there." He also tells the site that Michael Chabon would be brought back to co-write any future films, although with the mixed critical response to Brave, only time will tell whether Andrews will also be involved with any of Disney's future projects. Be sure to click on the link below to read the interview in full.

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35 Comments

	ksommer - 6/21/2012, 8:46 AM Login to report abuse Shocking that it's the most pirated film. The interest is there. Just needs to be a better film.
	Jolt17 - 6/21/2012, 8:57 AM Login to report abuse They're moving with the sequel? YES.
	Whovian - 6/21/2012, 9:02 AM Login to report abuse John Carter was an excellent film. The problem was in the marketing and the unmistakable fact that a person needs a higher IQ than a grape to fully appreciate it. My suggestion to film fans belly aching about the lack of really great movies today; quit wating your money on Adam Sandler movies and go watch great stuff lioke John Carter!
	DaRaginScotsman - 6/21/2012, 9:06 AM Login to report abuse Just saw this movie recently and was really impressed. But like Whovian said, the marketing was crap and that's what really brought it down. Personally, I feel that this movie has a chance at a sequel if it becomes a cult hit on DVD and more people are interested.
	TheMyth - 6/21/2012, 9:13 AM Login to report abuse I loved it. My only complaint is Stanton should be shot for allowing that crappy editing job. Shit was too jumpy, they'd be diving into a new scene before the previous one was finished.
	TheMyth - 6/21/2012, 9:13 AM Login to report abuse Owlman, I find myself asking if you have any siblings...
	gambgel - 6/21/2012, 9:27 AM Login to report abuse It was a good movie. The critics just wanted some movie to hate, I guess. Sometimes, there shouldnt be any press about a movie, and just let the audience watch it without negative reviews from unknowns.
	SUPERMAN2013 - 6/21/2012, 9:29 AM Login to report abuse I put this film off so much until I had nothing else to watch,and I was very supprised! I actually liked it,and I actually hate george lucas more because there was a [frick]ing shit load of things he stole for star wars,like the stadium fight etc id see a sequel
	repulse93 - 6/21/2012, 10:29 AM Login to report abuse I pray that the Kingdom Hearts franchise will be able to re-inject some interest into John Carter.
	Philvis - 6/21/2012, 11:04 AM Login to report abuse So far John Carter is my favorite movie of 2012. I found it much more entertaining than the Avengers. I'd love to see a sequel for it, but am not holding my breath.
	Pau1y - 6/21/2012, 11:43 AM Login to report abuse I really enjoyed John Carter. It was a little lacking in some areas but overall it was a solid B(-). I would gladly see a sequel.
	Godzillafart - 6/21/2012, 12:10 PM Login to report abuse It's not that John Carter was bad, it's just that it wasn't $250,000,000.00 budget good.
	CaptainPresley - 6/21/2012, 12:15 PM Login to report abuse John Carter was great!!! I loved, loved loved it! I wish Disney would sell the rights to a different studio that will give it a sequel and proper marketing.
	HugeCapfan - 6/21/2012, 12:17 PM Login to report abuse I liked John Carter, despite that long pointless 'Return to Earth' ending which distracted from everything that happened before. Problem is: IT'S ALL HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE111 Star Wars stole lots from Princess of Mars, Princess, Big Alien best buddy, manned space guns, tournament with alien monsters, big walking 'elephant'-like rides, ... Plus over time, Disney's marketing tried too hard to be Political correct for not using Warlord or thinking the word 'Mars' will ruin the movie.
	CPBuff22 - 6/21/2012, 12:17 PM Login to report abuse John Carter was the second best movie of 2012 for me. Over the next month an a half we will see where Amazing Spider-Man, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, & TDKR fit in. But I can honestly say I can see John Carter stay in my top 5 as the year ends.
	superotherside - 6/21/2012, 12:37 PM Login to report abuse I liked John Carter. Doesn't deserve the hate it gets. :(
	DoomXfactor - 6/21/2012, 12:45 PM Login to report abuse John Carter was [frick]ing good. The sequel has to be made because it's not the sequel we need, it's the sequel we deserve lol
	GreyChaos13Zero - 6/21/2012, 1:23 PM Login to report abuse I enjoyed JC, I thought it had good CGI and story.I give it four out of five stars. really hope they make a sequel?)
	xXkryptoniteXx - 6/21/2012, 1:28 PM Login to report abuse Disney just did a bad marketing on it, it should have pixar's name on it then it well be a box office gold. Pixar presents John carter, Pixar has a name that's bigger then Disney. Disney is just been riding on pixar's animated movie's success and Disney's old classics. Hope they make another John carter movie because it was a well done movie and very entertaining, way better then avatar.
	JanAustin - 6/21/2012, 2:23 PM Login to report abuse Wonderful news! I couldn't be more happy to read this! This is very promising and hopeful news to read. As one of the Administrators for A huge John Carter Sequel Campaign, I can tell you that there are literally thousands and thousands of John Carter fans from all over the world who loved this film, support this film, and definitely want to see a Sequel! We are working hard to help make this happen! When Disney decides to give the go for a Sequel, we will all definitely be there to support Disney and John Carter 2! This film was brilliantly directed by Andrew Stanton, it was a beautiful story, fantastic and heart-warming characters, and an incomparable cast that we want back! Thank you for giving this hope to our dedicated and supportive fans who want to go Back To Barsoom! We want A John Carter Sequel!
	plasticman - 6/21/2012, 2:28 PM Login to report abuse Behind Avengers this is my favorite movie of the year. This is a great story and he is exactly right that Disney has dropped the ball. Some of you already know that I feel this was done purposely. And I will keep asking, when has a blockbuster movie costing $300 million to make every been released in March? You can't make a half a billion dollars on a movie released that early in the year. Somehow I envision Lucas and Cameron had a part to play in the poor marketing of this truly great movie.
	manofmidgard - 6/21/2012, 3:28 PM Login to report abuse i was really psyched that this movie was coming, right up until i saw it. it was just okay. i had read all the books, you see, and they were way better. they just changed so much that it really wasn't john carter to me. the barsoomians were supposed to be red, like so red that carter is supposed to look very much like an alien, or a thern. the therns? well they're supposed to be secretly controlling the planet and no one is supposed to know about them, not running around in the first movie. bah. and wtf was that lightning gun/wand thing? that was completely fabricated and ended up being a major part of the movie. pointless. and they made woola look retarded, which i really cannot forgive them for. the tharks looked kinda goofy too. look at some frank frazetta paintings of john carter. now THAT'S what a thark should look like. badasses. add to this, the acting wasn't exactly great. it wasnt bad, but it was just mediocre. they needed to focus more on the tharks and really make the point of how cruel their society is. it makes sola make so much more sense why she is so special to have taken john under her wing. on the other hand, when i saw this my gf really liked it, but then she hadnt read the books and so didnt know what she was missing. i'd give the movie a B for enjoyability, and a c- for accuracy, and a B- for acting and a B+ for effects. Those flying ships were awesome at least. so i guess i'd give the movie a B- overall. if they do a sequel i'll see it, and hope they make it more like the book, and less like a generic sci-fi movie.
	pro346 - 6/21/2012, 3:33 PM Login to report abuse I love this movie.....hope they push ahead with sequels.
	Scabsallover - 6/21/2012, 3:38 PM Login to report abuse Not a lot of people say the first one... Why gamble on a second? Use that money to fund better Animated films. Like say, a Disney animated Mickey Mouse CG film.
	Scabsallover - 6/21/2012, 3:39 PM Login to report abuse Or a new rescuers.
	drfate - 6/21/2012, 4:29 PM Login to report abuse loved this movie! Gimme another, Disney, or the Mouse gets it!
	mgeoff88 - 6/21/2012, 4:56 PM Login to report abuse I just watched John Carter a couple of nights ago, and I thought it was very good. Definitely an underrated movie. Taylor Kitsch did a great job, and Woola was awesome! And Lynn Collins never disappoints. She kicked ass! I blame the marketing as to why it didn't do so well at the box office. It could've been so much better. I really hope Disney moves forward with the sequels.
	thunderforce - 6/21/2012, 5:16 PM Login to report abuse More please .
	Lego - 6/21/2012, 7:40 PM Login to report abuse never gonna happen great movie but Disney isn't even going to make Tron 3 and that did better bizness than this film
	Boekelaar - 6/21/2012, 11:25 PM Login to report abuse I really like the movie too, it seems that everyone agrees that the marketing was crap. I love it when I'm not the only person thinking the same thing. Though I did expect a little more from such a big budget but then again at no point during the movie did I go "that's good CGI" because the CGI just blended so well with the movie and didn't take me out of the film. I would like to see a sequel but I'm not holding my breath on it. Just a thought though. I know that one of the major reasons the Star Wars TV series hasn't been made yet is because of the cost of CGI. And apparently they're doing some things and working it out so that they can squeeze in the effects of a Star Wars into a television budget. So hopefully if they make great strides with that then Disney could apply the same model to a John Carter sequel and make it cheaply. Just a thought.
	CrossOver - 6/21/2012, 11:48 PM Login to report abuse I really liked the movie, but the marketing sucked and the trailers really didnt show some parts that wouldve caught my eye enough to watch it in theatres.
	admiralhowdy - 6/22/2012, 4:34 AM Login to report abuse Woola not looking retarded:
	comicb00kguy - 6/22/2012, 6:40 AM Login to report abuse If John Carter was such a huge "box office flop", then why has it been virtually impossible for me to find the DVD in New Orleans? I've visited quite a few stores looking for it, and the DVD has been sold out everywhere. As for sequels? John Carter surprised me with how GOOD it was. I'd love to see sequels at some point.
	LtAnarchy - 6/22/2012, 8:18 AM Login to report abuse so far this movie is in my top 2 favorite movies for the year. i dont understand the hate
	Ancar - 6/22/2012, 8:46 AM Login to report abuse The real truth is that Disney [frick]edup this movie. Here in Brazil John Carter was off screen after just two weeks. And the movie was number 1 and made more than US$ 10 millions on box office! Just to tell, the Brazil numbers at Box Office Mojo are completely wrong!