Percy Hynes White & Jeff Wahlberg Lead Lovers-On-The-Run Thriller “Crime Novella”, Roland Emmerich Exec-Producing & First Look Revealed

The landscape of independent American cinema is set to welcome a bold new entry as production wraps on the romantic crime-thriller Crime Novella. Marking the feature-length directorial debut of filmmaker Omar de Soto, the project has officially generated significant industry buzz following the release of its first-look promotional imagery. The film brings together a diverse and contemporary ensemble cast led by Percy Hynes White, widely recognized for his breakout role in Netflix’s global phenomenon Wednesday, and Jeff Wahlberg, who recently featured in the third season of HBO’s critically acclaimed drama Euphoria.

Financed entirely by Centropolis Entertainment and captured using traditional 35mm film stock, Crime Novella places a heavy emphasis on tactile visual aesthetics and cinematic nostalgia. De Soto took on the multi-faceted creative roles of writer, director, and producer for the feature, establishing a deeply personal artistic vision for the narrative. Principal photography for the ambitious indie project concluded this summer, following an extensive multi-city and international shoot that spanned iconic landscapes across Albuquerque, New Mexico, Los Angeles, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and select locations in Mexico.

Plot Dynamics and Creative Vision

At its core, Crime Novella follows a high-stakes narrative trajectory centered around two desperate lovers on the run. According to official loglines provided by the production team, the storyline tracks the couple as they fight to preserve their relationship against insurmountable odds, ultimately discovering the extreme boundaries they are willing to cross to remain together. Industry insiders and the production team have drawn thematic parallels to classic cinematic touchstones, describing the film as a modern descendant of Terrence Malick’s seminal 1973 masterpiece Badlands and David Lynch’s explosive 1990 road trip romance Wild at Heart, infused with a distinct transgressive spirit.

Director Omar de Soto reflected on the collaborative process and the chemistry among his ensemble cast, highlighting the distinct contributions each actor brought to the production. “I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting cast,” de Soto stated. “Cash and Valentine have always been the heart of this film, and Percy and Jeff understood the world I was trying to build from the beginning. Percy and Jeff are intoxicating onscreen. You simply cannot take your eyes off them.”

De Soto also praised the supporting players for anchoring the surreal and idiosyncratic elements of the script. “Zlatko, Bobby and Ava each brought their own special sauce and made our whimsical world feel lived in. I’m incredibly proud of this cast and deeply grateful to my producers and crew who believed in the film and helped us make it on our own terms. This is their moment.”

A Star-Studded Ensemble and Behind-the-Scenes Heavyweights

The supporting cast of Crime Novella boasts a wealth of international acclaim and critical recognition. Zlatko Burić, whose performance in Ruben Östlund’s satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness earned him the Best Actor honor at the 35th European Film Awards—following the film’s Palme d’Or victory at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022—brings seasoned gravitas to the project. Burić is no stranger to large-scale collaborative efforts with the film’s broader creative ecosystem, having previously appeared in Roland Emmerich’s 2009 apocalyptic disaster epic 2012 under the Centropolis banner.

Bobby Soto, who previously delivered a powerhouse lead performance alongside Shia LaBeouf in David Ayer’s gritty urban thriller The Tax Collector, adds further grit to the ensemble. Rounding out the principal cast is Ava del Cielo, whose impressive television résumé includes notable recurring and guest roles across Netflix’s political drama House of Cards, the supernatural action series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and MGM+’s critically praised crime series Get Shorty.

Behind the camera, the production muscle behind Crime Novella matches the pedigree of its cast. The feature is produced by Paul Bennett IV of Replica alongside Marco Shepherd of Centropolis Entertainment, the latter of whom previously produced the World War II epic Midway. Legendary filmmaker Roland Emmerich serves as executive producer, lending his extensive industry expertise to guide his husband, Omar de Soto, through his inaugural feature-length endeavor. Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward round out the leadership team as co-producers.

Industry Representation and Agency Backing

The packaging of Crime Novella reflects major agency involvement across the board, underscoring the commercial viability and talent-driven appeal of the indie feature.

Percy Hynes White is represented by Innovative Artists, along with Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates (OAZ) and legal representation via Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Jeff Wahlberg shares agency representation at Innovative Artists, alongside management from Leverage Management and legal counsel from Sloane, Offer. Zlatko Burić is managed through Art Management. Bobby Soto is represented by Innovative Artists, management firm Anonymous Content, and legal representation via Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Ava del Cielo is represented by Mitchell & Associates Talent. Meanwhile, Roland Emmerich and Centropolis Entertainment maintain corporate representation through Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Strategic Significance and Market Outlook

The completion of Crime Novella on 35mm film represents a deliberate artistic choice in an era heavily dominated by digital acquisition. By opting for physical celluloid, de Soto and his directors of photography are leaning into a rich visual texture that aligns with the gritty, fugitive nature of road-trip thrillers. The decision to shoot across starkly contrasting geographical locations—shifting from the sun-bleached expanses of New Mexico and Nevada to the urban density of Los Angeles and the atmospheric backdrop of Mexico—is expected to give the film a sprawling, epic canvas despite its independent scale.

As post-production ramps up following the summer wrap, industry analysts anticipate that Crime Novella will target a major film festival debut in the coming months. The combination of established young adult talent, critically celebrated character actors, and the institutional backing of Centropolis veterans positions the project as a formidable contender on the upcoming festival and sales circuits. With first-look imagery now public, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a visually striking and emotionally charged exploration of modern outlaw romance.