“John Carter 2 (2026)”—often imagined under the title Gods of Mars—is not an officially released film but a long-standing fan-driven concept built on the unrealized sequel plans to the 2012 sci-fi epic. Despite years of rumors and viral trailers, the reality is that Disney canceled the sequel after the first film’s massive box office failure, making any “2026 version” purely speculative.

Still, the idea of a sequel continues to fascinate audiences because the original film left behind a vast, unfinished universe full of potential.

The imagined story of “John Carter 2” typically continues Carter’s journey on Mars (Barsoom), where he must now face even greater threats beyond the civil war seen in the first film. Instead of simply protecting Helium, the sequel would likely explore deeper mythology—ancient Martian gods, hidden civilizations, and a larger cosmic conflict. This shift would elevate the narrative from a planetary war to something more epic and mythological, expanding the scale significantly.

One of the most compelling directions for the sequel comes from the planned storyline Gods of Mars, where Carter’s relationship with Dejah Thoris becomes central. Their bond would not only be emotional but political, as they stand together against forces that threaten the balance of the entire planet. This adds a stronger emotional core that the first film sometimes struggled to maintain.

Visually, a sequel would almost certainly aim to surpass the original in scope. The world of Barsoom—already rich with flying ships, alien creatures, and vast deserts—would be expanded with new locations, possibly including darker, more mysterious regions of Mars. The spectacle would be bigger, with massive battles and more advanced visual effects. However, this also introduces the same risk as before: overwhelming CGI that sacrifices clarity and emotional engagement.

One of the key challenges for “John Carter 2” would be fixing the pacing and storytelling issues of the first film. While the original was praised for its imagination and visual ambition, it was often criticized for a confusing narrative and uneven character development. A sequel would need to simplify its storytelling, focus more on character arcs, and create a clearer emotional journey for the audience.