Latest: Halle Berry is slated to play jailed jewel thief Doris Payne in whizz-kid actor-turned-producer Justin Berfield's upcoming biopic Who Is Doris Payne?

The 21-year-old former Malcolm In The Middle star secured the rights to 76-year-old Payne's life story after meeting the thief in prison. He then commissioned seasoned writer Eunetta T. Boone to pen a screenplay.

Payne, who is known as The Grandmother Thief, has spent much of her adult life pulling off some of the biggest gem heists around the globe.

Berfield has yet to confirm if the MovieHole.net reports about Oscar winner Berry are true, but says, "Doris was a jewel thief for six decades and worked all over the world. Doris is a magnificent woman and she's incredibly intelligent.

"Whoever plays her will have to be able to leave the audience with several questions concerning Doris' state of mind. It's a very demanding role."