"A Princess of Mars" is the first in the series that was published in All Story magazine in 1912 and made into a novel in 1916. This series is about a man named John Carter who is transported to Mars and held captive by the green men of Thark. John Carter goes on to become great warrior, marry a princess, raise a family and embarks on many adventures.
Disney had the rights to the series in the 1990s, and at one point had come up with an animated movie idea, or a live action movie helmed by Die Hard director John McTiernan. Paramount wound up purchasing the rights in 2002, but was also unsuccessful in developing the franchise.
