Hollywood actress Jodie Foster will step behind the camera to bring to audiences the true story of how Leonardo DaVinci’s iconic Mona Lisa painting was stolen.
OduNews has learned that an individual with an in-depth knowledge of the project spoke to TheWrap and a draft of the screenplay is being written by Bill Wheeler.
The film is based on the book The Day They Stole the Mona Lisa by Seymour Reit and will explore the robbery that was committed by Vincenzo Peruggia in 1911 which helped take the painting to new heights of popularity.
The production will draw inspiration from earlier films The Thomas Crown Affair and The Sting, blending fiction with fact with a focus on the people behind the heist.
As stated earlier, the real-life robbery took place inside the Louvre in 1911, where three Italian handymen concealed themselves in a supply closet and managed the 200-pound painting (comprised of protective glass and frame) off the wall and put it into a French subway train outside the city.
The painting was missing for 28 hours before anyone noticed it was gone and when the news spread, it became famous overnight.
Although it was painted by DaVinci in the 16th century, it wasn’t regarded as a masterpiece until the late 19th century, with the robbery helping to elevate its status.
The film (which hasn’t been given an official title) will be financed by the Los Angeles Media Fund led by Jeffrey Soros and Simon Horsman.
