Tessa Thompson to Star in Film as Famous Jewelry Heister Doris Payne
Tessa Thompson has a new project coming to the big screen.
In an upcoming film, Thompson will portray Doris Payne, a woman notorious for her luxury jewelry heists. Payne’s heist career lasted over 50 years with a criminal record dating back to the 1950s. Payne, who is now 87, entered stores and charmed her way into stealing jewelry pieces left out by the clerk.
Doris Payne has long been one of those larger than life, colorful characters who cried out for the silver screen biopic treatment. It’s about time it actually got greenlit. She’s a badass scamming legend and I can’t wait to see @TessaThompson_x bring her story to fruition.🎞 pic.twitter.com/XOEVHUR91h
— TriniPrincess (@TriniPrincess) February 13, 2018
Thompson shared the news on Twitter stating that she is “screaming that this dream is coming true.” after years of keeping the secret. The actress expands on describing Payne as a “deeply fascinating woman” and she is “beyond grateful” to be a part of this project.
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, 2018
The actress recently starred as Valkyrie in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok. Thompson’s latest project is set to be an action-drama in the concept of movies, such as Catch Me if You Can and The Thomas Crown Affair. The film is set to be produced by Codeblack Films and Lionsgate, who is currently in the process of developing an Angela Davis biopic.
