Top 10 Get Captured on Purpose Plans

The Jigsaw Killer is certainly among the most twisted characters in the history of cinema. His meticulous plans are thought out to perfection and are carried out with gut-wrenching violence. This particular plan from the “Saw” sequel is no exception as he torments crooked detective Eric Matthews. When Jigsaw gets himself caught by Matthews, they play a game of sorts: Matthews’ son has been captured, and Jigsaw holds his life in the balance. Constantly keeping us on our toes, this puzzling killer further blurs the line between brilliant and insane.

Attacking Thor’s home world of Asgard is not a smart move, unless you’ve got yourself a man on the inside. Disguised as a Marauder, the Dark Elf Malekith’s right hand man, Algrim, allows himself to be imprisoned within Asgard’s dungeons and proceeds to go into full rampage mode. After releasing the other prisoners, the ensuing chaos wreaks havoc within the walls of the Asgardian fortress, allowing the attacking elves to enter the palace. It’s a crippling blow both to Asgard and to the God of Thunder.

Even though everyone in the audience knew Benedict Cumberbatch’s John Harrison would turn out to be Khan, there’s no question that the character’s ferocity was matched only by his cunning. Always the tactician, Khan allows himself to be captured in order to save his beloved crew, all the while demonstrating to the Enterprise that he knows something they do not. And then, when the moment is right, he seizes control of the USS Vengeance warship to complete his plan.

How far would you go for vengeance against those who took everything from you? After the justice system fails him, this ex-CIA assassin played by Gerard Butler pulls off not one, but two brilliant purposefully captured plans. To capture the first man on his list, he pretends to be a hapless cop and allows himself to be taken to a secondary location – where he quickly turns the tables on his victim. Ensuring he’s arrested for that crime, he then murders his cellmate so he’ll be placed in solitary confinement, from where he wages war on the begrudged lawyers. We won’t go so far as to spoil how he does it, but rest assured, it is biblical.

While getting caught may not have been Luke’s plan A, the fact that he showed up at Jabba’s Palace without his lightsaber should’ve been a huge tipoff. After Leia's infiltration and Luke’s subsequent negotiations failed, crime-lord Jabba the Hutt thought he was going to get our heroes tossed into the Sarlacc pit. Of course Skywalker predicted Jabba's overconfidence and stashed his lightsaber safely inside R2-D2, who, along with Lando, knew to be in the right place at the right time. While Luke was definitely making up some of the steps as he went along, it's clear by how often he tries to warn Jabba that the Jedi was in control the whole time.

Kevin Spacey has made a name for himself playing despicably devious characters, but this Oscar-winning role was a tour de force for him. In an effort to find and kill the one man who can identify his real identity, Verbal arranges to have himself locked up with the who’s-who of known criminals. Manipulating and maneuvering a series of heists, this mysterious man recalls his exploits, from inside police custody… Kint shows us how, sometimes, you might not find the one thing that is hiding right under your nose.

Once one of M’s finest protégés, Silva is an expert hacker with a penchant for mayhem. Seeking vengeance on the woman he once idolized and loved, and who later betrayed him, Silva manages to fool even James Bond into thinking he’s been captured. When the wunderkind Q gets his hands on Silva’s computer and is tricked into thinking it’s the jackpot, he plugs it into the MI6 mainframe and disaster ensues. The result is one of the most exhilarating chases in 007 history, and it was all instigated by one of the franchise’s most memorable villains.

He may not look like he has a plan, but you can be damn sure he does have one – he’s the Clown Prince of Crime, after all. While Bane had a similar plot in the trilogy’s third installment, the Joker’s plan was even more unexpected. Whether it was his main goal, or just an added bonus while he was getting his hands on Lau, the Joker used this chance to come face to face with Batman. Putting the supervillain in jail wasn’t the problem, though. It was that pesky phone call… and planting someone in the prison with a bomb sewn inside him. Yep, this was a plan that could only be conceived by a madman.

You better believe the God of Lies and Mischief has a few tricks up his sleeve. In an effort to cripple his adversaries before the battle even commences, Loki’s seemingly ill-planned public appearance ends with his capture. The worst part is that everyone knows he’s up to something, but just can’t figure out what until it’s too late. Then, when he allows his goons and a brainwashed Hawkeye to attack the Helicarrier, letting the Hulk loose in the process, Earth’s mightiest heroes are nearly crushed… nearly but not quite!

Before we get devious with our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Jean-Luc Picard
“Star Trek: First Contact” (1996)
Palpatine
“Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” (2005)
Thomas ‘Tommy’ Arashikage / Storm Shadow
“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” (2013)

We’re not sure if insanity is a by-product of genius, or if it’s the other way around, but John Doe’s plan showcases both. Seeking to commit seven murders modeled after the seven deadly sins, this anonymous killer successfully completes five before mysteriously turning himself into police. After coercing Detectives Mills and Somerset into a secluded location, Doe reveals his two final victims: Mills’ wife, a victim of Doe’s envy, and himself, a victim of Mills’ wrath. It’s as heartbreaking as it is horrifying, as Doe’s plan comes to fruition with the seventh murder.

Did you agree with our list? What do you think are the best maniacally intricate plans? For more devious Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.