Is Jane in the 'Tarzan' Series Based on Jane Goodall? Many have wondered over the years if the character of Jane was based on Jane Goodall. Article continues below advertisementIs there any truth to the rumor that Jane, from the Disney film Tarzan, is based on Jane Goodall? Source: MEGAArticle continues below advertisementIs Jane in 'Tarzan' based on Jane Goodall? According to Newsweek, the Tarzan of the Apes book from the Tarzan series was published in 1912 by Edgar Rice Burroughs.