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Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Tessa Thompson has been cast as real-life jewel thief Doris Payne in an upcoming, untitled heist film. Thompson, known for starring in Creed, Thor: Ragnarok, Westworld and Annihilation, is also producing the project alongside Jeff Clanagan of Codeblack Films which is a part of Lionsgate. The company has obtained the rights to Payne's life, Variety reported.
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No director or production start date has been announced.
Payne, now 87, is known for stealing diamond rings in jewelry stores while posing as a customer. She has been arrested multiple times with her criminal record dating back to the 1950s.
Payne was also the subject of a 2013 documentary titled The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne.
"After chasing Doris and her story for years- and then keeping this secret for awhile- I'm screaming that this dream is coming true. She is a deeply fascinating woman. So pleased to bring this story to the screen with CodeBlack & Lionsgate. Beyond grateful," Thompson said on Twitter.
After chasing Doris and her story for years— and then keeping this secret for awhile— I’m screaming that this dream is coming true. She is a deeply fascinating woman. So pleased to bring this story to the screen with CodeBlack & Lionsgate. Beyond grateful. https://t.co/GMfigAdwy4
— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) February 13, 2018Advertisement
