Universal images have landed the rights to Tanya Smith’s memoir ”Never saw me come: How I surpassed the FBI and the entire banking system – and got $ 40 million. “Janelle Monáe is linked to Star in the Filman Pass, which she will also produce through her company Wondaland Pictures.
Smith, who will be involved in the film as executive producer, is the constantly underestimated CON artist behind what has been called “one of the single biggest threats to the entire US banking system.”
Described as a Heist thriller that becomes “a powerful examination of systemic prejudice and economic inequality”, the stranger-than-fiction history follows Smith’s journey from Teenage Hacker to Financial System Mastermind. By 18 years, she had already orchestrated a lithany of Heister and collected millions of dollars while avoiding law enforcement during the process.
She finally became corner of the FBI, even though they are said to “refused to believe that a black woman could be the architect for such sophisticated crimes”, according to the project’s official press release. She responded by orchestrating an even more bold schedule – systematically out -of -federal agents while building an empire with $ 40 million with cash, diamonds and gold bars. But as release continues, “her success attracted mortal, and soon Smith found himself to avoid both bullets and marks.” Smith met one of the longest white collar sentences in history before mounting her own defense and won her freedom.
Universal’s acquisition of “Never Saw Me Coming” continues the trend for the studio’s acquisition of book rights, including Britney Spears memoir “The Woman in Me”, Colleen Hoover “Reminders of Him”, Percival Everetts “James” and Stacey Abrams “Rules” commitment. ”
Ryan Jones, senior CEO of production development and Tony Ducret, Development Manager, will monitor the project for the studio.
Monáe, although best known as a music artist, has balanced his singing career with films such as “Moonlight”, “Hidden Figures”, “Harriet” and “Glass Onion: A Knives out mystery.” In 2018, Monáe’s company Wondaland Pictures signed a first look with Universal. She repped by represented by Wondaland Management, WME, ID PR, Ben Rubenfield on the Ziffrer and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Smith is represented by lawyer Mitchell Ostrove at Yorn Levine.