Janelle Monae is set to star in and produce an adaptation of Tanya Smith's heist memoir. The 39-year-old actress will play the con artist — who was convicted of bank and wire fraud — in the upcoming adaptation of her memoir Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System - and Pocketed $40

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,

Tanya Smith, left, will be portrayed by singer/actor Janelle Monáe in an upcoming film based on Smith's memoir. (Provided and AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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

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

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. “The Dance Apocalyptic” multi-hyphenate will produce through her Wondaland Pictures’ first look deal at Uni.