Thor: Ragnarok actress, Tessa Thompson has been confirmed to star in Lionsgate’s Codeblack Film biopic on the Notorious Jewel Thief Doris Payne.

Thompson will both star in and co-produce the film about the still-living 87-year-old jewel thief. Payne has reportedly committed countless robberies. Payne’s career as an international jewel thief spans six decades, with a criminal record dating back to 1952. Her modus operandi is to enter jewellery stores posing as a well-to-do woman, typically looking for a diamond ring. Using her charm, she would engage the clerk, asking to see an assortment of items. Eventually, she would “cause the clerk to forget” just how many items were outside the case; and, at some point, she would leave with one or two pieces.

Tessa Thompson Interview

Payne is most noted for stealing a 10-carat diamond ring, valued at $500,000 (US), from Monte Carlo in the 1970s. She fled to France, but was detained in Nice and later extradited back to Monte Carlo, where she was held for nine months before being released, as the Monégasque authorities were unable to locate the stolen gem.

From bounty hunter in last year’s Thor: Ragnarok, Thompson seems to like the badass female roles. She will next be seen in Alex Garland’s Annihilation and is said to be returning to reprise her role in Sylvester Stallone’s Creed 2. She will also appear in Laurie Collyer’s Furlough alongside Melissa Leo, Whoopi Goldberg, Anna Paquin, Edgar Ramirez and La La Anthony.

Codeblack’s Jeff Clanagan will also be producing alongside Thompson after the company acquired Payne’s life rights.