Mark Andrews to direct John Carter animated series

Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. has tapped Oscar-winning filmmaker Mark Andrews to serve as Supervising Director and Co-Showrunner on John Carter, Warlord of Mars: The Animated Series. Andrews and head writer Michael Kogge will discuss the project at San Diego Comic-Con on July 24, 2026.

Why it matters: - Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. is trying to bring John Carter of Mars to animation for the first time. - The project pairs a Pixar veteran with a writer who already has John Carter animation experience, signaling a high-profile push to revive the franchise. - The series could give the century-old property a new audience after the 2012 live-action film.

What happened: - Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. announced that Mark Andrews will serve as Supervising Director and Co-Showrunner on John Carter, Warlord of Mars: The Animated Series. - Michael Kogge will join Andrews as Co-Showrunner and Head Writer. - Andrews and Kogge will speak about the series at 4 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, in room 32B at San Diego Comic-Con. - The series is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s science fantasy novels set on a dying Mars.

The details: - Andrews directed Pixar’s Academy Award-winning Brave and also worked as an Emmy-winning animator on multiple series, including Netflix’s Super Giant Robot Brothers. - Andrews co-wrote and co-directed Walt Disney Pictures’ 2012 live-action John Carter film, which has since developed a cult following. - Kogge’s credits include work for Lucasfilm’s Star Wars projects and John Carter of Mars: The Audio Series. - Kogge initially developed the animated show for Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and will continue leading the writing side of the project. - Jim Sullos and Wolf Larson will oversee the project for the estate. - Mark Andrews is represented by Fourth Wall Management and Newhouse Porter Hubbard. - Michael Kogge is represented by Fourth Wall Management and Felker Toczek.

Between the lines: - Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. is framing the series as a long-awaited realization of a project that has been difficult to make work in animation. - The company pointed to an earlier 1936 animation test reel by Bob Clampett and John Coleman Burroughs that was never greenlit. - The announcement leans on Andrews’s personal connection to John Carter, which may help position the series as a passion project rather than a routine adaptation. - The estate is also signaling confidence that animation can now deliver the scale and visual intensity the property needs.

What's next: - Andrews and Kogge are expected to share more details during their Comic-Con appearance. - Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. will continue developing the animated series with its estate leadership. - Further production, casting, and distribution details were not announced.

The bottom line: - John Carter is finally heading to animation, with Mark Andrews and Michael Kogge leading the charge.