JOHN CARTER - Extended Clip, Sizzle Reel, and Disney Scrambles to Get People Excited

Disney has released a extended film clip and sizzle reel for their upcoming expensive big budget Andrew Stanton-directed sci-fi epic, John Carter. There's not a lot of positive buzz surrounding this movie, and that's exactly the opposite of what I was hoping for. As a fan of the novels, I was looking forward to seeing this world brought to life. Unfortunately, nothing I've seen has me excited about it. 

I've been saying from the beginning that the worst marketing decision Disney made for this movie is changing the title from John Carter of Mars to just John Carter. And insider recently spoke to THR explaining, "You lose any kind of scope the movie has. John Carter of Mars gave the movie context." I completely agree, and it's one of the many things that could end up biting Disney in the ass. The movie is said to have had a budget of $275 million dollars, which is crazy! And the studio obviously wants to make a profit. The insider explains, "this is a huge movie. Everyone's focus right now is merely on getting as many people to see the movie as possible."

It seems like everything Disney has released for the film has been met with ridicule instead of excitement, and that's not good. As the report points out, the movie is "drawing comparisons (not in a good way) to Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace, while an indistinct billboard campaign has left some unclear that the film is an Avatar-like 3D epic." A rival studio marketing head adds, "They are doing an extraordinary job of not selling what they think it is." 

I have a feeling that this isn't going to be the hit movie Disney hoped it would be. To combat all the negativity surrounding the film, Disney will be "pushing out a new TV campaign loaded with storyline-heavy spots. The ads will strive to better explain how Carter makes his way to Mars and discovers superhuman powers when he joins the fight to save a Martian princess. At the same time, the studio has seen an uptick in the film's attractiveness to men in the most recent tracking data. An action-heavy trailer will go out in front of Act of Valor on Feb. 24." Read more about all the details surrounding Disney's mistakes on this film here.

Unfortunately for Disney, I think it's too late. I think everyone's minds are already made up on the film, and I don't think anything else they release will win anyone over that has already been turned off. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, watch the new video released below.

Are you excited about John Carter? Do you think it is going to be a hit or a flop?

GeekTyrant Homepage