Tanya Smith’s Heist Memoir Will Be Adapted With Janelle Monae in the Lead Role

Janelle Monae will both produce and star in the adaptation of Tanya Smith’s novel about her robbery.

The actress, 39, will portray the con artist, who was found guilty of wire and bank fraud, in the forthcoming adaptation of her autobiography, “Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System – and Pocketed $40 Million.”

Tanya will be the film’s executive producer, and Janelle will actually produce the production through her firm Wondaland Pictures.

When she was a youngster, Tanya began robbing banks, and she eventually made millions by breaking into banking systems.

Before being caught by the FBI, Tanya was able to avoid the authorities for years. Nonetheless, the authorities did not think she was capable of committing such complex crimes.

The FBI believed that “black people are not smart enough to commit these kinds of crimes,” according to a summary of the new movie.

The ex-con has even become a champion for racial justice and prison reform. Tanya is now free after arranging her own legal defense.

“Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System – and Pocketed $40 Million,” Tanya’s memoir on her 2024 heist, described her incredible adventure.

Universal Pictures currently has the rights to the book and plans to make a movie out of the biography.

The project will be managed by Tony Ducret, the head of development, and Ryan Jones, senior ice-president of production development at Universal.

As an actress and singer, Janelle has achieved considerable success, appearing in films including Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Moonlight.

Previously, the actress described how she manages her several life hobbies.

According to the Hollywood celebrity, “I consider myself a magician,” Variety said. With everything I touch, I attempt to create magic. Hard effort and a certain level of focus and attention to whatever I’m doing are necessary for that.

I wouldn’t try to create an album while working on a movie, for example. I must be in a state of mind that allows me to be totally dedicated to the position I have accepted.

Additionally, I see myself as a storyteller. Music is much more intimate since I utilize it to tell tales about my identity, experiences, and current location in the world.