A feature film adaptation of the Barsoom series of science fantasy novels from Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, detailing the chronicles of Confederate soldier John Carter on the red planet Mars, had been in varying stages of development since the early 1930's. One of the great what-ifs of the development process was a version that was to have been helmed by Spy Kids director Robert Rodriguez for Paramount Pictures, with the current screenplay adapted by The Cell scribe Mark Protosevich. Rodriguez would also produce with Elizabeth Avellán through their Troublemaker Studios banner, alongside James Jacks and Sean Daniel of Alphaville and the now-disgraced Harry Knowles. It was to be Rodriguez's next film following Sin City, and like with that film, he planned on using all-digital stages, as well as hiring famous Burroughs and fantasy illustrator Frank Frazetta as a consultant on the film's artistic design. However, Rodriguez's tenure on the project didn't last long, as the Directors Guild of America took issue with his crediting Frank Miller as a co-director on Sin City since he duplicated his comic book panels shot-for-shot. The Guild's regulations didn't allow its members to co-direct with non-members, so Rodriguez resigned in protest, but Paramount was unable to bankroll a non-union production. Follow me and ponder the question, "What if...?"
Music: "Not of This Earth" – John Debney (Predators)
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/VcTPaO3-8lE/maxresdefault.jpg)