Of course they won’t have anyone naked. How are they gonna sell a zillion little toys of the characters, not to mention all the MacDonald’s/Bruger King giveaways if they’re naked?
Especially considering that you can juast put them in skimpy clothes and have done with it. That’s the way they’ve been done in the comics for ages. (Although there are a few internet artists that insist on drawing a nude Dejah Thoris.)
Only to the atmosphere. Dejah Thoris explains to John Carter that the red Martians know all about Earth and its history the “unsightly coverings” its people wear – they have devices that allow them to view other planets really close up. A warrior is described as “wearing the metal” of this or that chieftain or city – armbands, bracelets, etc. Apparently nobody needs to wear shoes, the surface of Mars being almost entirely covered with spongy moss.
That was made, what, 15 years ago? Not the same times, any more than 1960 is like 1975. We’re in the post 9/11 era of fear and repression, my friend.
You think they lined up for Pocahontas…
What tough guys. 
A stage play of “A Princess of Mars” is currently running in Minneapolis. A lifelong Burroughs fan, I made the trip out from Chicago to see it. It was really well done. The actors weren’t naked, though. The director told me that then it would just become a play about naked people. I suppose that would hold true for the movie, too, if it ever gets made. I didn’t realize there were so many ERB fans on this board. I reviewed the play and included several sound clips on my podcast for Burroughs fans, Dateline Jasoom. It’s the latest episode, number 8. My web site is www.panthanpress.com. I’ve also posted a short video clip from the play, which runs through June 4. I strongly urge Burroughs fans in the Minneapolis area to check it out. And drop me a line about the podcast, if you’re a Burroughs fan. I always like to hear from other fans. (Especially creative types like Dopers who might want to contribute bits.)
And on the same site, you can read most of the Barsoom novels for free!
I always considered the Red Martian Princess outfits to be much like the Princess Leia slavegirl outfit.
have the copyrights on burrough’s martian novels expired? If so, Hollywood will hack them to death. i recall reading these novels years ago-and they are just so old fashioned-the descriptions of how the barsoomians view the earth (Cosoom)? is pretty stupid. Also, the mad brain transplant surgeon 9ras Thavas0 was a pretty interesting concept-though quite impossible.
In any event, yes, make those martain gals clothed as skimpily as possible!
I’d prefer they make a faithful effort at John Norman’s Gor Series.
Now, that would be cool.
Piers always did have a fondness for nudity in his stories.
Rasoom – Mercury
Cosoom – Venus
Jasoom – Earth
Barsoom - Mars
Sasoom – Jupiter
In, I think, Thuvia Maid Of Mars, a very crucial plot point depends on a male character wearing sandals.
Re The OP
I’d be fine with Princess Leai bikinis on the women. After all, even if they don’t need to wear clothes ornamentation shows wealth and social status.
Put the men in loincloths, boots, bracers, and maybe the occasional cape.
Re Copyright
Last time I checked, they were expired. I have no idea if any of the terms or characters is still trademaked.
I’d just like to say that I will have the guts to view the film in the nude, as Burroughs intended.
I concur.
What was the climate of mars?barsoom supposed to be like? I seem to recall that there were cold areas 9the poles). So were the canals semi-tropical waterways? in that case, the Pricess leia outfits should be appropriate.
Discounting the facts that Mars is significantly further away from the sun than Earth, and has less atmosphere to trap the heat, Burroughs assumed it is warm and mild everywhere but the poles. And there are no high winds.