There’s been talk of a Painkiller Jane movie for years now, but a big screen adaptation of Jimmy Palmiotti’s comic book series is finally moving forward with an A-List star set to take on the title role. According to Deadline, two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain is set to play the character and will also produce it through her Freckle Films banner.
Painkiller Jane was created in 1995 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Marvel artist Joe Quesada (you’ll have also seen his work on posters for shows like Iron Fist). Originally known as Jane Vasko, she was a police officer almost killed in the line of duty who ended up gaining regenerative powers and took on the role of a costumed hero who served as her city’s main vigilante.
Various versions of the character have since been introduced, so there’s lots of material the movie could take inspiration from. There was actually a Syfy television movie back in 2005 with Emmanuelle Vaugier playing Painkiller Jane, and a short lived TV series followed two year later starring Kristanna Loken. It’s unlikely that either of those will inspire this take!
At one point, “Twisted Twins” Jen and Sylvia Soska were attached to direct, but that no longer appears to be the case. Aside from Chastain being chosen to take on the role, very little is known about Painkiller Jane as of right now and it doesn’t have a release date.
