Taylor Kitsch’s career began in modeling, but he gained fame as Tim Riggins on NBC’s Friday Night Lights. Despite early successes like Gambit in X-Men and The Bang Bang Club, his lead role in the 2012 film John Carter became a significant setback, resulting in major financial losses for Disney. Though Kitsch faced further challenges with Battleship, he rebounded with strong performances in True Detective and Waco. He reflects positively on John Carter, noting its renewed appreciation on streaming platforms.
From Modeling to Stardom: Taylor Kitsch’s Early Career
Taylor Kitsch’s journey began in the world of modeling, but he truly captured the hearts of audiences with his portrayal of Tim Riggins in the hit NBC series, Friday Night Lights. This role as a young football player resonated with viewers for five seasons, establishing Kitsch as a fan favorite.
Following his memorable appearance as Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and his role in the 2010 drama The Bang Bang Club, Kitsch was on the cusp of becoming a Hollywood sensation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, his star was on the rise. However, a significant career decision led him to take on the lead role in a Disney blockbuster adapted from a renowned science fiction novel. While it seemed like a promising opportunity at the time, the film’s catastrophic performance ultimately derailed his ascent to stardom.
The Disastrous Outcome of John Carter
The film that significantly impacted Kitsch’s career was John Carter, released in 2012. Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic 1917 novel, A Princess of Mars, this ambitious production was directed by Andrew Stanton, who had previously enjoyed success with Wall-E. In John Carter, Kitsch portrayed a Civil War veteran who finds himself on the red planet Mars, embroiled in an age-old conflict between two Martian civilizations after being captured by a four-armed alien.
Despite its intriguing premise, John Carter suffered from poor marketing and a lack of audience engagement, leading to its unfortunate fate. The film garnered a mediocre rating of 3.2 out of 5 and earned only $284 million globally, with a mere $73 million from the United States. With a staggering budget between $250 and $307 million, it was labeled one of the greatest box office failures in history, resulting in losses of approximately $200 million. This debacle even prompted the resignation of Disney’s then-CEO, Rich Ross, just weeks after the film’s release.
In a heartfelt email to his staff, Ross expressed his decision to step down, noting that the role of president no longer suited him after such a significant setback.
Resilience and a Return to Success
John Carter wasn’t the only challenge Kitsch faced that year; the release of Battleship, directed by Peter Berg, also fell short of success. Despite its hefty budget of over $200 million, the film barely grossed $303 million, marking the end of Kitsch’s brief moment in the spotlight.
However, the actor found his footing again on television, delivering a remarkable performance as Officer Paul Woodrugh in HBO’s acclaimed series True Detective season 2. He further showcased his talent in the 2018 miniseries Waco, portraying cult leader David Koresh. More recently, Kitsch has captivated audiences in the Netflix series Shadowplay and is now a key figure in the popular western series, The Dawn of America.
Reflecting on the experience of John Carter, Kitsch has downplayed the film’s impact, emphasizing the potential for redemption through streaming platforms. “People stop me all the time about that. I guess people watching it now for the first time can get a lot more out of it than at the beginning… Honestly, I don’t see it as a failure,” he shared in an interview seven years post-release. Indeed, time seems to mend all wounds.
You can currently enjoy John Carter on Disney+!