This sci-fi film is the biggest failure in the history of cinema: it could have sunk Disney with its $250 million losses

News culture This sci-fi film is the biggest failure in the history of cinema: it could have sunk Disney with its $250 million losses

Once upon a time there was John Carter. This project, the first sketches of which date back to the 1950s, returns to Disney with Andrew Stanton as project manager after spending a period of time in the hands of Paramount. This director made himself known to the general public with Finding Nemo and Wall-E which were critical and commercial successes. Unfortunately for him, this new project will put a damper on his career behind the camera. Andrew Stanton did not direct anything for 14 years following the release of John Carter although he was still active in various positions within Pixar Animation Studios.

The ultimate cinematic failure for Disney

This science fiction film is an adaptation of the novel “A Princess of Mars” belonging to the Mars Cycle. It is a literary saga written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, considered a pioneer of space opera and having had a lasting influence on SF. Despite a casting likely to please the general public (Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe), John Carter records a historic flop at the box office. With a budget exceeding 350 million US dollars (marketing costs included), it only grossed 284.1 million during its theatrical run. In reality (and according to the data from Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro, it would have caused Disney to suffer a net loss amounting to 250 millionwhich would have shaken the very foundations of one of the most powerful entertainment companies in the world.

Upon its release, critics praised its “splendid” visuals and its ability to entertain, but highlighted the lack of rhythm as well as a plot and characters that struggled to captivate a cautious audience. With only 52% positive press reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, spectators are reluctant to go to theaters. In the end, the massive reshoots, the disastrous marketing campaign and the change of title got the better of this ambitious science fiction project which did not find its audience. Little ancdote to shine at social dinners… the film “John Carter” was originally called “John Carter of Mars”.

The synopsis of John Carter: John Carter finds himself mysteriously on Barsoom (Mars) and embroiled in a conflict. The planet is on the verge of implosion when he realizes that the future of Barsoom and his people is in his hands. – (Disney+ France)

John Carter is available on SVOD on Disney+.

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The 10 biggest failures in the history of cinema

Here are the 10 biggest failures in the history of cinema. The amounts correspond to the losses incurred by production companies following the exploitation of films in theaters.

• John Carter (2012) – 255 millions US$
• The Lone Ranger (2013) – 240 millions US$
• The Marvels (2023) – 237 millions US$
• The 13th Warrior (1999) – $227 Million
• Mortal Engines (2018) – 204 millions US$
• Pirate Island (1995) – US$202 million
• Sinbad – the legend of the seven seas (2003) – 199 million US$
• Battleship (2012) – 199 millions US$
• Avalonia, the strange journey (2023) – US$197 million
• Pan (2015) – 185 millions US$