The singer will portray Tanya Smith in the film she is also producing through her Wonderland Pictures shingle.

Janelle Monáe steps into a daring new role as she prepares to portray Tanya Smith, the mastermind behind one of America’s most audacious bank heists. Universal Pictures has secured the rights to adapt Smith’s memoir Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System — and Pocketed $40 Million into what promises to be a riveting heist thriller.

Universal Pictures nabbed the rights to activist Tanya Smith’s banking system heist memoir, with the project to be produced through Wondaland Pictures.

Universal Pictures has landed the rights to Tanya Smith’s memoir “Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System — and Pocketed $40 Million.” Janelle Monáe is attached to star in the film adaptation,

Universal has landed the rights to Tanya Smith’s memoir Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System — and Pocketed $40 Million, with Grammy nominee and SAG Award winner Janelle Monáe attached to star in the adaptation.

Janelle Monáe will be the star and producer of Never Saw Me Coming, an adaptation of Tanya Smith's memoir produced by Universal.