As more and more comic book properties make their way to the big and small screen, they are simply going to have to make room for one crazy heroine. “Insane Jane,” based off the cult comic book from Bluewater/StormFront Productions is currently in development and has Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse alum Miracle Laurie attached as the eponymous Jane. The story of a deluded, yet-well-meaning heroine who believes she has super powers is being developed as a television series produced by Bohemia Group Originals & Miracle Laurie. Screenwriter Tracy Morse (Creature) has also signed on for the project.
“When Jane was introduced to me, I was floored!”said Laurie, “She is an actor’s dream, filled with complexity and laced with tremendous amounts of fun. The moment I read the graphic novel, I felt connected to her. I saw her vulnerable side; the girl that just wants to fit in, like we all do. I saw the outrage she has at the injustice in this world. And I saw the hope she has and the desire to do good, even if it means battling (and sometimes losing to) her own demons.”
The character made her debut in 2010 and added a unique take to the pantheon of superhero literature. She is described by original writer Zachary Hunchar: Take youthful energy. Add in some over-active imagination. Mix in some powdered donuts. Sprinkle it with delusional disorder and you get ... Insane Jane! She’s the kookiest action hero of the 21st century.
“Forget what you think you know about the super hero genre. What Miracle, Tracy and the folks at Bohemia Group are doing with Jane is simply off-the-charts cool,” said Darren Davis, President of Bluewater/ StormFront Productions. “I’m already setting my DVR to record some ‘must see TV!’”
Peter Paul Basler, Head of Production, Bohemia Group Originals added “We are poised to create something truly special with a live-action version of INSANE JANE! We promise to create something that will leap off the pages of the graphic novel! Look out!!"
The production has not yet secured a distribution deal, but anticipates several suitors given the original concept and the high quality of the content. The production is set to go before the camera later this year.
“The character is so dark, so damaged; yet magnetically endearing,” said screenwriter Tracy Morse. “She has no idea that often her ultimate nemesis is herself. Creating her world is like a tightrope suspended over a swimming pool filled with razor blades and marshmallows.”
According to the producers, one of the challenges is featuring a character with severe schizophrenia. There are great opportunities to provide commentary on how we treat and perceive people battling mental health issues. Even though the material is often done tongue in cheek or for comedic effect, the central principle is that Jane, despite her challenges, is not the joke.
StromFront Productions (formerly Bluewater Productions) also has film projects developing with Universal Studios and Paramount Picture and other studios for their titles "Nanny & Hank," "Legend of Isis," "10th Muse," and "Sinbad Rogue of Mars."
Insane Jane is in graphic novel form and can be purchased at comic book stores, bookstores and on Amazon. It is also available digitally on ComiXology Trajactory, Madefire, BitLit, ComiXology, DriveThru Comics, Google Play, My Digital Comics, Overdrive, Iverse, iTunes, Kindle, Biblioboard, ComicBin, Nook, Kobo and wherever eBooks are sold.