Blackmoor Vituperative

I have never read the comic Painkiller Jane, but knowing that Kristanna Loken is going to be playing her in the TV series makes me want to check it out. I really liked her in Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King (one of the dumbest re-titlings ever — it should have been called The Ring of the Nibelungs, and I wish I could see the original version before SciFi Channel chopped an hour out of it), and of course she was outstanding in Terminator 3. And for all of the bad reviews it got, she was pretty good in Bloodrayne, too (although the movie itself is really not very good — the story in the computer game is much better — in all fairness it is leaps and bounds better than drek like Dracula 3000).

SCI FI Channel has cast Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3) in the title role of its new superhero actioner Painkiller Jane. Production on 22 one-hour episodes of the series, produced by Insight Film Studios, in association with Starz Media and Kickstart Comic Arts Studio, will begin in Vancouver next month.

Based on the comic book created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada, Painkiller Jane is the story of Jane Vasko (Loken), a DEA agent who is recruited by a covert government organization tasked with capturing “Neuros” — genetically enhanced individuals who possess superhuman powers of the mind. During the course of her first investigation with the team, Jane inexplicably discovers that she, too, possesses extraordinary abilities, which render her impervious to injury … but not pain. She develops miraculous regenerative powers, heals from every injury and finds herself stronger than she had been before. As she continues to work with the government to hunt Neuros, Jane tries to uncover the cause of her own transformation and what, if any, connection she shares with the very people she is pursuing.

Painkiller Jane is executive produced by showrunner Gil Grant (24, NCIS). Loken will serve as co-executive producer. The series is slated to premiere on SCI FI in Spring 2007, followed by a domestic broadcast weekly syndication window in Fall 2007. Starz Media will handle U.S. DVD and syndication sales, as well as distribution to key worldwide markets. Additional casting is currently underway.

Best known for starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger as the dangerously beautiful TX (Terminatrix) in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines for Warner Bros., Loken last appeared in theaters as Rayne in the feature-film adaptation of the highly popular video game BloodRayne. She also starred in SCI FI’s successful miniseries Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King in March 2006 and recently completed filming Dungeon Siege: In the Name of the King, starring with Burt Reynolds, Claire Forlani and Matthew Lillard, among others. Loken also produced the independent film Lime Salted Love, in which she also stars.

(from SciFi.com, Painkiller Jane)