John Carter 2: The Gods of Mars (2026) is a fictional sequel to the 2012 film John Carter, closely adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel The Gods of Mars, but updated with a more modern script, enhanced emotional family depth, and larger religious conflicts. The film runs approximately 135 minutes and falls into the science fiction action-adventure genre.

Opening (Prologue – 10 minutes) The film begins with Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins reprising her role or recast) standing atop the highest tower in Helium, gazing at Barsoom’s deep red sky. In voice-over, she recounts the story of her missing husband, John Carter—the man who saved the entire planet from destruction more than ten Barsoom years ago (roughly 10-12 Earth years). Dejah reveals that after John’s disappearance, she gave birth to their son, Carthoris, and has ruled Helium alone amid grief. Lately, strange signs have emerged: the cult of Issus is growing rapidly, with many Red Martians following the River Iss toward “paradise,” never to return. Dejah fears a greater conspiracy is unfolding.

Cut to Earth in 1886. An older, more weathered John Carter (Taylor Kitsch returning or recast younger) stands by the Hudson River, raising his hand toward Mars as always. This time, a mysterious force pulls him back to Barsoom.

Act 1: The Valley Dor – The False Paradise (30 minutes) John awakens on the red grass of the Valley Dor—the supposed “afterlife paradise” of Barsoom. He quickly realizes it’s hell: massive Plant Men (giant green-skinned plant-like creatures with blood-sucking mouths) attack a drifting boat carrying Green Martians along the River Iss. John leaps in to save them, using his superhuman strength (from low gravity) to tear the monsters apart bare-handed.

In the fight, he reunites with Tars Tarkas—Jeddak of the Tharks, his old friend now leading a small group of Green Martians seeking “paradise” out of desperation after losing his daughter Sola. They embrace emotionally. Tars explains that Dejah waited for John for ten years, bore their son Carthoris, and Helium is weakening due to lingering wars with Zodanga remnants and the spread of the Issus cult.

They are ambushed by White Apes and captured by the Holy Therns—the white-skinned, blond-haired White Martians who claim to be “gods.” Leader Matai Shang reveals the Valley Dor is a prison and slaughterhouse: pilgrims following the River Iss are devoured by Plant Men or enslaved by the Therns for food, labor, or to sustain their false religion. John and Tars are imprisoned alongside Thuvia, a beautiful Red Martian woman captured long ago, who has the ability to control wild beasts.

John vows to destroy this lie and find Dejah. They escape the Thern prison in an epic battle: John rides a thoat (eight-legged horse), slicing off Thern heads with a long sword, while Tars Tarkas blasts Plant Men with his radium rifle.

Act 2: Black Pirates and Issus (45 minutes) The group flees to the south pole, where they are captured by the First Born—Black Martians (sleek black-skinned, tall warriors who call themselves Barsoom’s “first children”). They are space pirates piloting massive triangular airships with primitive laser weapons. Leader Xodar initially treats John as a prisoner, but after John defeats a banth (eight-legged lion) to save Thuvia, Xodar begins to respect him.

They are taken to the underground palace of Issus—the false goddess, an ugly, tyrannical old woman claiming to be the mother of all Barsoomian life. Issus rules through fear: devotees offer annual slaves, and she secretly controls the Therns (who worship her unknowingly while she despises them). John discovers Dejah was captured months earlier—she was brought here as Issus’s “most beautiful slave” to lure John.

In Issus’s grand hall, John confronts her. Issus orders the Black Martians to attack, but with Xodar’s help (betrayed by Issus out of jealousy), Thuvia, and Tars Tarkas, John sparks a rebellion. A spectacular underground battle ensues: hundreds of Black Pirates clash, John leaps between falling airships, severing anchor cables, causing the fleet to plummet into the abyss.

John finds Dejah in the dungeon. Their emotional reunion includes their first kiss in over a decade. Dejah reveals Carthoris was kidnapped by the Therns as a hostage, and she voluntarily followed the River Iss to search for him.

Act 3: Destroying the False Religion – Cliffhanger (40 minutes) John leads the uprising: Tars Tarkas’s Green Martians, Xodar’s now-loyal Black Martians, and defecting Therns form an alliance. They assault Issus’s palace. John battles Matai Shang (father of Phaidor, who loved John in the first film) and Issus simultaneously.

In the climactic fight, John kills Issus (she dies raging, cursing that “Barsoom will collapse without its gods”). He broadcasts the truth about the Valley Dor via a massive planetary communicator, awakening millions across Barsoom. The false religion crumbles; Therns and First Born lose power.

Tragedy strikes: Phaidor (now vengeful over Dejah) activates the eternal prison—an ancient time-locked chamber. Dejah is trapped inside, the door only opening after one full Barsoom year (about 687 Earth days). John pounds the door in despair but fails. From inside, Dejah says: “Find Carthoris, John. I’ll wait for you.”

The film ends with John standing before the sealed chamber, eyes red with grief, turning to Tars Tarkas: “The war isn’t over. I’ll find my son… and bring my wife home.” The camera pulls back to show the new alliance’s airship fleet heading toward Helium, while young Carthoris (about 10 Barsoom years old) is chained in a distant cave, staring at the sky.

Post-credit scene: A mysterious figure (hinting at Ras Thavas or a new villain from book 3) watches from afar, whispering: “John Carter… the Warlord is returning.”

Overall, the film preserves Burroughs’ adventurous spirit while adding family drama, criticism of religious extremism, and stunning visuals: the surreal red-green Valley Dor, Black Pirate airships, and the subterranean Issus battle. Estimated budget: $250 million, heavy on CGI for monsters and ancient cities.