Rodriguez to bring sci-fi classic to film

LOS ANGELES, March 2 (UPI) -- Hollywood filmmaker Robert Rodriguez is planning a film version of the 1912 sci-fi story "A Princess of Mars," Empire magazine reported Tuesday.

Rodriguez wrapped up his successful "Spy Kids" and "El Mariachi" trilogies last year and is now working on the film "Sin City."

His next project, the magazine said, will be a $100 million big-screen adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic story about an American Civil War veteran and gold prospector who takes refuge in a cave to hide from hostile Indians, and wakes up to find himself on another planet.

The film may be called "John Carter of Mars," the name given to the series of 11 books that "Tarzan" creator Burroughs penned, sparking speculation the "Mars" movie might be the first in a franchise.

"After 'Lord of the Rings,' this is probably the last well-known fantasy classic yet to be made, and that's because it wasn't possible until technology caught up," Rodriguez said.