Janelle Monáe to Play Con Artist Tanya Smith in Heist Film

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Award-winning artist and actress Janelle Monáe, known for films like “Moonlight,” has been cast to play the role of Tanya Smith, a real-life mastermind con artist, in an upcoming heist movie produced by Universal Pictures (as reported by Variety). The film will be based on Smith’s captivating 2024 memoir titled “Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Pocketed $40 Million.” Monáe is also set to take on the role of an executive producer for this project through her production company, Wondaland Pictures.

Ryan Jones, Senior Vice President of Production Development, and Tony Ducret, Director of Development at Universal Pictures, are leading the production of a thrilling heist movie. The captivating memoir of a con artist offers not just an engaging narrative but also a deep exploration of character, as it follows Tanya Smith, a brilliant and imaginative mind, in her audacious attempt to swindle the American banking system for $40 million!

She initially disproves the FBI’s assumptions and over time, amasses $40 million, valuable diamonds, gold bars, and other commodities. Her lavish lifestyle draws dangerous individuals, including those who attempt to take her life. Law enforcement eventually labels Smith as a significant menace, posing a threat to the entire U.S. banking system. She receives an unusually long prison sentence for a white-collar crime, which is later reduced following her skillful self-defense in court.

Tanya Smith Stuck It to Those Who Wrongly Underestimated Her

Fans of genres are sure to recall Janelle Monáe for her captivating portrayal of Eden/Veronica Henley, the main character, in the 2020 horror film “Antebellum.” Yet, the multi-talented artist is preparing to take a completely new path as she breathes life into the bold and cunning Tanya Smith in the upcoming adaptation of “Never Saw Me Coming.

Smith’s notable achievement was a groundbreaking computer fraud, which she initially conducted secretly in her parents’ attic. However, this con artist eventually had to answer for her actions and served 13 years in prison due to her white-collar offenses. The question arises as to why Smith escalated her scam from being a charitable Robin Hood figure to defrauding banks of huge sums of money. Interestingly, Smith’s intelligence was highly regarded during an interrogation by law enforcement, and this changed the course of events. In an interview with Times Radio in 2024 while promoting her book release, Smith revealed:

“My transformation from a benevolent fraudster to a bank defrauder was influenced significantly by the appreciation of my intelligence during an interrogation.

The authorities and the police informed me that I wasn’t intelligent enough to carry out such crimes, implying that only black people commit violent acts like murder, robbery, and theft. They found it amusing at my expense. I responded by asking them if they were suggesting that intelligence is tied to one’s skin color or race, to which they merely laughed. I retorted, “Well, I’m going to prove to you what this Black woman is capable of,” and that’s exactly what I did.

The film adaptation of Janelle Monáe’s book, titled Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Pocketed $40 Million, hasn’t yet been given a release date by Universal Pictures. It remains uncertain if this project will turn out to be one of the top films based on memoirs once it’s released.

As a cinephile penning my thoughts, I must say that this crime thriller promises an exhilarating ride if it truthfully unfolds Tanya Smith’s escapades. For those who love a good flick and enjoy stories that take a stand against the status quo, this film could be just what you’re looking for, thanks to our sly anti-hero. If you can’t wait for the big screen, dive into her captivating memoir, now available on Amazon.

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2025-02-20 03:05