Renowned actress and vocalist Janelle Monáe is poised to take center stage and serve as a producer for Universal Pictures' upcoming adaptation of Tanya Smith's captivating heist memoir, "Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Pocketed $40 Million." Through Wondaland Pictures' first-look agreement with Universal, Monáe will helm this tale of an unsuspecting woman who orchestrates a brilliantly devised white-collar scheme, deftly manipulating the U.S. banking system to amass millions. Smith, who will executive produce, serves as the inspiration behind this project.
According to a synopsis provided by the producers, when the FBI eventually trapped Smith, they incredulously dismissed her as the mastermind behind such sophisticated financial crimes, arrogantly declaring, "These are not the kind of crimes black people are smart enough to commit." For her financial misdeeds chronicled in her memoir, Smith served a grueling prison term but has since emerged as a tireless advocate for prison reform, racial justice, and economic equality.
Monáe's impressive screen credits span an array of acclaimed films such as "Moonlight," "Hidden Figures," "Antebellum," "Harriet," "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," and the Amazon series "Homecoming." As a Grammy-nominated singer, rapper, songwriter, arranger, and producer, her musical discography boasts albums like "The ArchAndroid" (2010), "The Electric Lady" (2013), "Dirty Computer" (2018), and most recently, "The Age of Pleasure" (2023).
The acquisition of "Never Saw Me Coming" follows Universal Pictures' earlier procurement of book adaptation rights for Britney Spears' memoir "The Woman in Me," Colleen Hoover's "Reminders of Him," Percival Everett's "James," Stacey Abrams' "Rules of Engagement," and Mark A. Bradley's "Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America." Monáe is represented by Wondaland Management and WME, while Smith is represented by Yorn Levine.
This venture promises to be a thrilling journey, weaving a tale of ingenuity, injustice, and redemption, all brought to life by the extraordinary talents of Janelle Monáe and inspired by Tanya Smith's extraordinary story.
