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

The cinematic landscape is set to welcome a striking new entry into the classic "lovers-on-the-run" subgenre with Crime Novella, an independent feature film that marks the directorial debut of filmmaker Omar de Soto. Backed by a high-profile creative team that includes legendary disaster-epic director Roland Emmerich serving as executive producer, the project has officially wrapped production following an extensive shoot across multiple North American and international backdrops.

Trade reporting has confirmed that the gritty romance-thriller features a fresh, highly sought-after ensemble cast anchored by Percy Hynes White, widely recognized for his breakout role in Netflix’s global phenomenon Wednesday, and Jeff Wahlberg, who recently captivated audiences in HBO’s critically acclaimed hit Euphoria. Alongside the leading duo, the film boasts award-winning international talent, including Zlatko Burić, Bobby Soto, and Ava del Cielo.

Production on the feature concluded following a rigorous summer filming schedule, with the production unit utilizing authentic locations spanning Albuquerque, New Mexico; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; and across the border into Mexico. In an artistic choice that underscores a commitment to tactile, traditional filmmaking techniques, Crime Novella was shot entirely on 35mm film, lending the visual narrative a raw, organic texture that digital formats often fail to replicate.

A Modern Take on a Transgressive Cinematic Legacy

Penned, directed, and produced by de Soto, Crime Novella centers on a perilous journey undertaken by two central characters, Cash and Valentine, who go on the run to preserve their bond against insurmountable odds. According to production notes provided by the filmmakers, the narrative explores the physical and emotional extremes the couple must endure, asking fundamental questions about loyalty, desperation, and how far two individuals will go to safeguard their relationship.

Creative stakeholders and industry insiders have drawn direct thematic parallels between de Soto’s debut and iconic cinematic touchstones of the past. Producers have described the feature as a modern descendant of Terrence Malick’s 1973 masterpiece Badlands and David Lynch’s 1990 Palme d’Or winner Wild at Heart, infused with a distinctively transgressive and contemporary spirit.

Roland Emmerich, celebrated for helming massive box-office tentpoles such as Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and 2012, boarded the project as an executive producer through his banner, Centropolis Entertainment. Centropolis also fully financed the feature, working in partnership with production company Replica. Paul Bennett IV of Replica served as a producer alongside Marco Shepherd of Centropolis. The production infrastructure was further bolstered by co-producers Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward.

Behind the Lens and the Casting Process

For Omar de Soto, assembling the right chemistry for the film’s central figures was a meticulous undertaking. Speaking on the completion of principal photography, the writer-director expressed profound enthusiasm for his cast and crew, emphasizing the magnetic presence of his leads.

"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 supporting players for grounding the narrative’s more eccentric elements, adding, "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 supporting cast brings substantial international prestige and genre credibility to the project. Zlatko Burić arrives with high-level industry acclaim, having captured the Best Actor prize at the 35th European Film Awards for his standout performance in Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or-winning satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness. Burić is no stranger to the Centropolis ecosystem, having previously collaborated with Emmerich on the 2009 global disaster blockbuster 2012.

Bobby Soto brings gritty urban drama experience to the production, having previously starred opposite Shia LaBeouf in David Ayer’s crime thriller The Tax Collector. Ava del Cielo rounds out the key cast, bringing a diverse television resume that includes appearances on Netflix’s political powerhouse House of Cards, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and MGM+’s Get Shorty.

Representation and Industry Positioning

As Crime Novella transitions into post-production, its impressive talent roster is backed by major agency representation. Percy Hynes White is repped by Innovative Artists, Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates (OAZ), and Sloane, Offer. Jeff Wahlberg is represented by Innovative Artists, Leverage Management, and Sloane Offer. Zlatko Burić is managed by Art Management, while Bobby Soto maintains representation through Innovative Artists, Anonymous Content, and Goodman, Genow. Ava del Cielo is repped by Mitchell & Associates Talent. Roland Emmerich and Centropolis Entertainment are represented globally by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

The film’s strategic use of multiple geographical locations—moving from the stark, cinematic expanses of New Mexico to the neon-drenched isolation of Las Vegas and the atmospheric depths of Mexico—signals an ambition to create a sprawling visual canvas. By combining independent narrative sensibilities with the high production backing of veteran Hollywood figures, Crime Novella positions itself as a notable title to watch on the upcoming festival and distribution circuits.

As the first promotional imagery makes its way to the public, anticipation builds for how de Soto’s vision will translate on the big screen, offering a fresh injection of rebellious energy into the modern thriller landscape.