There must be something in the water down Hollywood way. It seems that barely a day goes by without us reporting on yet another heist flick – and today is no different, with the news that Halle Berry has signed on to star in Who Is Doris Payne?. But this one genuinely promises to be a heist flick with a difference.

For Doris Payne is not only a real-life figure (and, indeed, a real live figure, at 77), but a very unusual thief. For roughly five decades, Payne committed a series of diamond robberies at some of the world’s most glamourous jewellery stores, including Tiffany’s of New York, Cartier of Monte Carlo and Ratners of Romford.

Payne’s m.o. was simple – she would go in to a store, bamboozle salespeople with smooth talk, ask to see some rings and then simply walk out with an expensive ring on her finger. She was arrested in 2005, and served a two-year sentence, which would appear to be the end of her crime career.

Payne – who was always unstintingly polite and never ever carried a gun - should be a plum part for Berry, who may just be looking for another Oscar to keep her Monster’s Ball statuette company.

Who Is Doris Payne? was scripted by Eunetta Boone, and will be produced by Justin Berfield and Jason Felts. To read more about Doris Payne, check out this excellent LA Times article.