The landscape of independent American cinema is set to welcome a gritty, visually distinct new entry with the announcement of Crime Novella, a forthcoming romance crime-thriller marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Omar de Soto. Production on the project wrapped following an intensive summer shoot across striking North American locales, utilizing classic 35mm film stock to capture a textured, tactile aesthetic reminiscent of late-20th-century American cinema. Backed by Centropolis Entertainment and produced in conjunction with Replica, the film has generated early industry buzz not only for its striking visual approach and evocative premise, but also for its high-profile creative backing, which includes master-of-disaster auteur Roland Emmerich serving as executive producer.
As details surrounding the project emerge, trade publications have offered audiences a first look at the atmospheric feature, highlighting its evocative central pairing and transgressive thematic undertones. With an ensemble cast featuring rising young talent alongside seasoned international actors, Crime Novella positions itself as a notable title to watch on the festival and distribution circuits.
Main Facts and Central Premise
At its core, Crime Novella follows the desperate and harrowing journey of two lovers on the run, Cash and Valentine, who push the boundaries of survival and morality to preserve their relationship. Described by its producers as a modern descendant of iconic outlaw-on-the-highway narratives like Terrence Malick’s Badlands and David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, the film infuses a classic cinematic blueprint with a transgressive, contemporary spirit.
The production boasts a dynamic lead ensemble. Percy Hynes White, widely recognized for his breakout role as Xavier Thorpe in the first season of Netflix’s global phenomenon Wednesday and his acclaimed performance in the Sundance comedy-drama My Old Ass, stars alongside Jeff Wahlberg, whose recent credits include a prominent turn in the third season of HBO’s critically acclaimed smash Euphoria.
The supporting roster brings considerable international prestige and acting weight to the production. It includes Zlatko Burić, who captured the Best Actor prize at the 35th European Film Awards for his unforgettable performance in Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or-winning satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness. Burić is joined by Bobby Soto, noted for his compelling lead performance opposite Shia LaBeouf in David Ayer’s gritty urban thriller The Tax Collector, and Ava del Cielo, whose versatile television credits span Netflix’s political drama House of Cards, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and MGM+’s Get Shorty.
Production Chronology and Geographic Scope
The realization of Crime Novella represents a carefully coordinated independent production effort that spanned multiple distinct geographical regions during the peak of the summer filming window. Principal photography took place across a diverse sweep of locations designed to evoke the sun-bleached isolation, urban grit, and stark landscapes intrinsic to the outlaw-romance genre.
Filming locations included Albuquerque, New Mexico—a well-established hub for cinematic productions seeking dramatic desert vistas and unique southwestern architecture—alongside the bustling urban sprawl of Los Angeles, the neon-drenched isolation of Las Vegas, and international backdrops in Mexico. Opting to shoot the feature entirely on 35mm film rather than digital formats underscores a deliberate artistic choice by de Soto and his director of photography, prioritizing grain, warmth, and a tangible cinematic texture that mirrors the gritty analog roots of the cinematic touchstones inspiring the project.
By late summer, production officially wrapped, transitioning the film into its post-production phase. The rapid turnaround from the conclusion of principal photography to the initial marketing rollout highlights the operational efficiency of the production entities involved, specifically Replica and Centropolis Entertainment.
Financial Backing and Key Personnel
Crime Novella is entirely financed by Centropolis Entertainment, the production banner helmed by renowned filmmaker Roland Emmerich. Emmerich, celebrated for orchestrating large-scale cinematic spectacles such as Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and Midway, takes on an executive producer role, lending his formidable industry weight to his husband Omar de Soto’s directorial debut.
De Soto assumes a comprehensive creative footprint on the project, serving simultaneously as writer, director, and producer. His vision is supported by a dedicated production team that includes Paul Bennett IV of Replica and Marco Shepherd of Centropolis Entertainment, who previously collaborated with Emmerich on Midway. Additionally, Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward contributed to the project as co-producers, navigating the logistical complexities of a multi-state and international shoot.
The high level of institutional and creative support reflects a concerted effort by Centropolis to foster distinct, auteur-driven independent features alongside its traditional slate of commercial tentpole productions.
Official Statements and Creative Vision
Reflecting on the completion of the project and the assembly of his principal cast, writer-director Omar de Soto emphasized the seamless synergy between the actors and the complex characters they portray.
"I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting cast," de Soto remarked. "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 contributions of the supporting actors, noting how their collective presence grounded the narrative’s more eccentric flourishes. "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."
The creative leadership behind the camera has consistently emphasized the film’s tonal ambitions, positioning it not merely as a standard genre exercise, but as an artistic exploration of devotion under extreme duress. By invoking the cinematic lineage of the 1970s and 1990s outlaw road movie, the filmmakers have signaled an intent to engage cinephiles looking for character-driven storytelling shot with genuine celluloid craftsmanship.
Talent Representation and Industry Standing
The ensemble assembled for Crime Novella represents a strategic cross-section of young Hollywood talent and internationally celebrated character actors, supported by top-tier talent agencies.
Percy Hynes White is represented by Innovative Artists, Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates (OAZ), and legal representation via Sloane, Offer. Jeff Wahlberg is similarly represented by Innovative Artists, alongside Leverage Management and Sloane Offer. Zlatko Burić maintains representation through Art Management, while Bobby Soto is represented by Innovative Artists, Anonymous Content, and law firm Goodman, Genow. Ava del Cielo’s career is managed by Mitchell & Associates Talent.
On the production and executive side, Roland Emmerich and Centropolis Entertainment are represented globally by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), ensuring that the film is well-positioned to secure favorable domestic and international distribution agreements as it completes post-production.
Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The emergence of Crime Novella arrives at a time when the independent film market is increasingly valuing distinct visual identities, physical media utilization (such as shooting on 35mm), and targeted, character-focused narratives over homogenized mid-budget studio offerings.
For Omar de Soto, the feature directorial debut represents a significant professional milestone, transitioning from behind-the-scenes creative environments into the director’s chair with the full backing of an established industry infrastructure. For lead actors Hynes White and Wahlberg, the project offers a crucial vehicle to showcase their range outside of the massive streaming and television franchises that initially vaulted them to public prominence.
As the film moves deeper into post-production following its summer wrap, industry observers will be closely monitoring festival submissions for a potential premiere. Given the pedigree of the production team, the nostalgic allure of its 35mm aesthetic, and the enduring popularity of the romantic outlaw thriller genre, Crime Novella stands as a compelling project to watch as the 2026 film calendar unfolds.
