Baddies That Need Movie Love: Jane Doe

Baddies That Need Movie Love: Jane Doe

"Jane is a cipher, she's incomplete, her life is empty, so she covets the lives of others. She takes their lives so she can have their lives." Jane Doe is a twisted killer with loads of potential for a newly reinvented Batman that we are sure to get in the near future.

Feature Opinion
By ecksmanfan - Dec 31, 2011 01:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

Wow, two "Baddie" articles in one week? You should feel special, but don't get used to it. So in about six months or so (I need a Nolan-ite to give me the exact number of days), Christopher Nolan and company will be bringing us the final chapter in his Batman film series. It's been a great run having him behind the camera, and the likes of Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman in front of the camera, but it is also time to look to the future. I think that most of would agree that yet another reboot or reintroduction of the Batman franchise will occur, but exactly when and how is yet to be determined. One thing I enjoyed so much about Nolan's films are the villains he chose. With the exception of Joker and Catwoman (villain?), these characters, more specifically, these versions of the characters, are quite unfamiliar to the general movie goer.   Should we see a reboot, I'd like to see that trend continue, as it tends to keep things fresh and new. Having said that, I give you the next Baddie That Needs Movie Love...Jane Doe. Admittedly, Jane is quite obscure and not well known character, but her potential for a film character is immense. I am not quite sure which of my CBMTrolls brethren/sisteren suggested this character, but thanks for the idea!

Jane Doe made her first appearance on the pages of "Arkham Asylum: Living Hell" as an inmate in the infamous institution. She is a known and admitted serial killer whose modus operandi is as twisted as they come. Doe would observe, monitor and watch her victims, getting to know every little nuance that makes them unique. Eventually, she would kill them and take over their identity in every aspect. Her purpose behind this is to find the perfect fit. Jane said it best herself: "Jane is a cipher, she's incomplete, her life is empty, so she covets the lives of others. She takes their lives so she can have their lives." Doe does not limit her victims to any particular gender, lifestyle or occupation; as long as she can take over the mental functions of her victims.

Doe, having assumed the identity of Arkham Asylum psychiatrist Anne Carver, began giving evaluations to her fellow inmates, which didn't last long, as she was defeated by the always observant Batman. The "Dark Knight" did so before she could take on the identity of billionaire Warren White. Later on in "Arkham Asylum: Living Hell," Doe was successful in locking White in Mr. Freeze's sub-zero temperature cell, where his skin became bleached and he lost his ears, nose and lips, forever transforming him into the Great White Shark. Later on, after escaping, White strips Doe of her identity. More recently, Jane Doe, along with Firefly, is commissioned by Black Mask to take out the new District Attorney.

Jane has also had a run-in with Hush in the "House of Hush" story line. While the courts were debating whether or not Two-Face was mentally capable of standing trial, Kate Spencer, a/k/a Manhunter, has a discussion with Jane, offering her a deal that if she testifies against Dent and his insanity plea, Doe's sentence would be reduced to life imprisonment, rather than the death penalty she currently faced. Doe delayed her decision due to the fact that Dent had also visited Doe, where a separate offer was laid out. However, Doe is also visited by Hush, who is wearing the guise of Bruce Wayne. Hush convinces the Arkham parole board to release Doe so that he can utilize her in a plan to take down Batman. But knowing how Hush repays his allies, Doe quickly escapes.

As it turns out, Jane Doe had killed Jeffrey Carter, Hush's impending hostage that he would use against Batman. Jane figured that if she posed as Carter then she would be captured thus allowing her to get close to Hush and steal Hush's persona as Bruce Wayne. Jane's plan was to become Bruce Wayne and take control of a multi-billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, Batman arrives and puts an end to her plan. On the bright side, Jane maimed Hush's face so severely that Hush could no longer pose as Bruce Wayne ever again or anyone for that matter.


As you can see, Doe is a relative newcomer to the comic book world, so her past is not very deep, but this could basically provide for a blank canvas for a film maker. With a psychotic character like this, there are numerous directions you could go, delving into various types of back stories and histories. History aside, one of the best things about the Jane Doe character is that you could have multiple actors and actresses play the role, with each person giving us a brand new version of Jane, and different levels of psychosis. Think The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus with a shot of Hannibal Lecter and Patrick Bateman.

But we need an actress to play the Jane Doe, the original, and needless to say, there is a veritable buffet of talented actresses out there who could do wonders with a role like this. My mind instantly went to Meryl Streep, who is easily one of the most talented actors of our time. But I dare say she is too old for the role. The next actress to come to mind is Britney Murphy, who has played several characters who are a tad left of normal (yes, I agree she would be the perfect Harley Quinn). Of course, she left us several years ago, and far too soon if you ask me. So who does that leave us with? Earlier this year, a film titled Drive hit theaters, a dark, gritty drama that starred Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. Both of the lead actors were incredible to watch and I can't help but think that Mulligan would be a great fit for the role of Jane Doe. Mulligan has also had roles in the critically acclaimed An Education, as well as Brothers, Public Enemies and Never Let Me Go. She is currently filming  The Great Gatsby with Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio. Mulligan is a gifted actress who has a very bright future ahead of her. Granted, a role like this would be a bit out of the norm for her, but that is when most actors shine; when they are out of their element.

On a side note, I'd be perfectly fine if Jane Doe happened to show up in a new Batman trilogy based on the Arkham Asylum video games...just sayin'.


If you have suggestions or want me to highlight a Baddie you'd like to see, be sure to send me an email! I will see what I can do! Be sure to check out the past installments of "Baddies that Need Movie Love:"
Mr. Sinister
Ultron
Kingpin
Black Tom Cassidy
Omega Red
Brainiac
The Shade
Harley Quinn
Ventriliquist & Scarface
Darkseid
Lady Deathstrike
Morbius
Ares
The Sentinels
Apocalypse
Electro
Deathstroke
Carnage
Lobo
Doctor Doom
Solomon Grundy


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SpiderBat209
SpiderBat209 - 12/31/2011, 1:22 PM
Pretty original concept for a villain. BATMAN has such an AWESOME Rogues Gallery. :D
TheShakeBake
TheShakeBake - 12/31/2011, 1:34 PM
Never heard of her, but agreed Batman has a great rogues gallery. I would say best Marvel rogues gallery goes to my man Spidey.. random but just saying!
Oarsis
Oarsis - 12/31/2011, 1:38 PM
I love Jane Doe....
I would love to see her in a movie....She would have been great in Nolan-verse!
thewolfx
thewolfx - 12/31/2011, 1:41 PM
UH ..were is that bitches skin?
batmanrises
batmanrises - 12/31/2011, 2:09 PM
KGBeast!
thewonderer
thewonderer - 12/31/2011, 2:17 PM
I felt Bane needed shine so I was completely ecstatic when I found out he was the villain of this final Nolan film. Quinn can't stand on her own and honestly I really don't think we need another Joker film appearance. Venom needs another appearance, the SM3 one was a joke. Wait so doom was a joke on film but Venom wasn't? Carnage would be epic alongside Venom
Redhood2k10
Redhood2k10 - 12/31/2011, 2:35 PM
Wow never heard of her before but the info you gave is great. I'm currently working on a Batman screenplay that's a mix of both the Nolan and Burton styles. My script focuses on Batman tracking down the mysteriously Riddler but is somewhat set up like Red Dragon. I can see Batman needing help from an Arkham inmate to get inside the Riddler's mind and this Jane Doe seems to be a great character for that.
mlj
mlj - 12/31/2011, 3:24 PM
You're right, Jane Doe is a very good villain to use for a Batman film. I'm actually surprised Nolan didn't think to use her before, seeing how based in reality she is. She's based in a more grounded sense of reality than any Batman character put to screen thus far.
SageMode
SageMode - 12/31/2011, 4:20 PM
I never even heard of this Biotch before. oh well......
juggerhutch
juggerhutch - 12/31/2011, 4:47 PM
Nolan like rely has made the best movies as far as batman goes and Bane will HUGE and intense of course but CAT I rely rely dont like her in anything besides from in the comics My opinion of course....Now Nolan should have considered Quinn, Grundy, Calender man, even pull a Crock out of the wood works they dont need to explain him or even try just that Bane wanted total destruction..
laughterman26
laughterman26 - 12/31/2011, 5:16 PM
TRUE DAT NOLAN IS THE MOST BADASS BUT HE REALLY NEEDS to do something with the joker it would be cool if he got joseph gordon levvit to play joker but go with the original concepts
Jolt17
Jolt17 - 12/31/2011, 9:01 PM
Please no...she's damn creepy.

Alright, she's pretty cool a concept actually, but I don't really see that she can work. Unless as a cameo.
MaddMonkk
MaddMonkk - 12/31/2011, 11:06 PM
Jane Doe has this unique look from a sledding incident involving hamsters and brown gravy. When awoke in the hospital, she was giving a loolipop which she used to shave a muskrat and escape custody from the royal canadian mounties. She was later discovered playing backgammon with a wheel of cheese and a gym sock. Batman had her committed to Arkham Asylum because he knew anyone who enjoys sledding is insane and a danger to the community.
CaptainAmerica31
CaptainAmerica31 - 1/1/2012, 12:57 AM
She would be a unbelievabl villain in a David fincher batman ;) and I think the girl from dragon tattoe should play her, just sayin
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 1/1/2012, 10:20 AM
@Monkk- Couldn't have said it better myself. LMAO

theWorld- The reason why I do these articles is to give people a better idea as to who these characters are and a bit of history behind them. Most people are so dead-set on certain villains, they don't look past the obvious few. I know, as well as you do, that Jane Doe will never be seen in a film. I thought she was a cool, unique character that deserved a bit of exposure, and I'm glad I did, as it's obvious not everyone had heard of her. So calm yourself son.
MaddMonkk
MaddMonkk - 1/1/2012, 11:28 AM
theWorld-do you realize how many villains there are in comics? do you see the Funky Flashman in this series? or Adhesor? or maybe Crazy Quilt?.....(crazy quilt might not be a bad one).
I went back a tried to read some of your article but i couldn't seem to find any. Is this you idea of contributing to this site? constantly ridiculing everything.
theWorld...
comiccow6
comiccow6 - 1/1/2012, 12:31 PM
Killer Croc, Skrulls, and Mysterio need to be in a CBM!!!
mctrinket
mctrinket - 1/1/2012, 12:57 PM
So why does she look like that and how does she survive like that and not bleed to death or go into immediate shock? Also, how does she take on the physical appearance of individuals who are for example much taller and heavier than herself, such as a male. She appears to be quite slight and frail.
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