‘Thor’ actress to star as jewel thief Doris Payne in upcoming biopic

Tessa Thompson (right) will portray Doris Payne (left) in an upcoming biopic.

Credit: File photos

Credit: File photos

Tessa Thompson (right) will portray Doris Payne (left) in an upcoming biopic.

Tessa Thompson will star in an upcoming biopic of international jewel thief and DeKalb County resident Doris Payne, Variety reports.

Payne, 87, has stolen approximately $2 million worth of jewelry and other items over her six-decade career. She was last arrested in July 2017, after she was accused of stealing $86.22 worth of merchandise from a Chamblee Walmart. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served.

READWhat movies, TV shows were filmed in Gwinnett in 2017?

Payne’s most lucrative alleged heist occurred in the 1970s, when she was accused of stealing a 10-carat diamond ring worth $500,000 in Monte Carlo. Charges against her were dismissed when police could not find the ring. Payne detailed many of her crimes in a 2013 documentary, “The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne.”

Payne’s life rights were purchased by Codeblack Films, a subsidiary of Lionsgate. The film is currently untitled, Variety reported.

Thompson has had roles in “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Creed,” and “Selma.” She will play Valkyrie in the upcoming “Avengers: Infinity War,” which was filmed in Atlanta.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Stay up to the minute with breaking news on Channel 2 Action News This Morning

Previous Doris Payne coverage:

Doris Payne accepted a negotiated plea deal and will serve 30 days behind bars with 120 days of house arrest.