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

Principal photography has officially wrapped on the upcoming romantic crime-thriller Crime Novella, marking the feature-film directorial debut of filmmaker Omar de Soto. The project, which was shot entirely on 35mm film to capture a gritty, textured aesthetic, has generated significant industry buzz following the release of its first promotional imagery. Leading the cast are rising stars Percy Hynes White, known for his breakout role in Netflix’s global phenomenon Wednesday, and Jeff Wahlberg, recognized for his compelling work in HBO’s hit drama series Euphoria.

The production brings together an eclectic and critically acclaimed supporting ensemble, including European Film Award winner Zlatko Burić (Triangle of Sadness), Bobby Soto (The Tax Collector), and Ava del Cielo (House of Cards). Financed by Centropolis Entertainment, the film wrapped its extensive shoot this past summer across multiple striking North American and international locations, spanning Albuquerque, New Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Mexico.

The Creative Vision and Production Background

Written, directed, and produced by Omar de Soto, Crime Novella follows the harrowing journey of two desperate lovers on the run as they fight to preserve their relationship against insurmountable odds. The narrative explores the lengths to which the couple—Cash and Valentine—must go to stay together while navigating a treacherous underground world of crime and survival.

Producers have actively positioned the project within a storied cinematic lineage, describing it as a modern descendant of classic renegade road-trip thrillers such as Terrence Malick’s Badlands and David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, infused with a distinct transgressive spirit.

Director Omar de Soto expressed profound enthusiasm for his cast and the collaborative environment that brought the ambitious indie-spirited project to life. "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 further praised the supporting players for anchoring 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."

Behind the scenes, the film is produced by Paul Bennett IV of Replica alongside Marco Shepherd of Centropolis Entertainment. Master-of-disaster filmmaker Roland Emmerich serves as an executive producer, lending his high-profile industry backing to his husband’s directorial debut. The production team also features Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward, who rounded out the crew as co-producers.

A Star-Studded Ensemble Cast

The casting choices for Crime Novella reflect a strategic blend of young television royalty and seasoned international film talent. Percy Hynes White secured a massive global following following his portrayal of Xavier Thorpe in the first season of Netflix’s record-breaking supernatural comedy-drama Wednesday. In addition to his streaming success, Hynes White earned critical acclaim for his performance in the Sundance coming-of-age comedy-drama My Old Ass.

Co-lead Jeff Wahlberg brings gritty dramatic weight to the project, following his prominent appearances in the third season of HBO’s groundbreaking smash hit Euphoria.

The supporting roster elevates the project’s dramatic pedigree. Zlatko Burić captured international headlines when he won Best Actor at the 35th European Film Awards for his standout performance in Ruben Östlund’s satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness. The film went on to win the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022. Burić is no stranger to the Centropolis ecosystem, having previously collaborated with Roland Emmerich on the global blockbuster disaster epic 2012.

Bobby Soto adds formidable screen presence, having previously stepped into a high-profile leading role opposite Shia LaBeouf in David Ayer’s crime drama The Tax Collector. Rounding out the primary cast is Ava del Cielo, whose extensive television credits include prominent roles in Netflix’s political powerhouse House of Cards, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and MGM+’s Get Shorty.

Representation and Industry Positioning

The talent involved in Crime Novella commands representation across top-tier Hollywood agencies and management firms. Percy Hynes White is represented by Innovative Artists, Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates (OAZ), and legal counsel Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Jeff Wahlberg is represented by Innovative Artists, Leverage Management, and Sloane Offer. Zlatko Burić is represented by Art Management, while Bobby Soto is repped by Innovative Artists, Anonymous Content, and legal representatives Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Ava del Cielo is managed by Mitchell & Associates Talent.

On the production side, Roland Emmerich and Centropolis Entertainment are represented globally by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Timeline and Chronological Development

• Pre-Production & Casting: Development on Crime Novella began under the guidance of writer-director Omar de Soto, with packaging taking place across late 2025 and early 2026.
• Principal Photography: Filming commenced earlier this year, utilizing a deliberate 35mm shooting schedule to achieve a classic, tactile cinematic look. Production wrapped during the summer of 2026.
• Location Shoot: The production unit moved across diverse terrains, filming key sequences on location in Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and international backdrops in Mexico.
• First-Look Reveal: Centropolis Entertainment and the production team released the first official promotional imagery and casting details in late September 2026, signaling the film’s entry into post-production and setting the stage for future distribution talks.

Broader Market Implications

The launch of Crime Novella represents a notable pivot for Centropolis Entertainment, a banner historically synonymous with high-budget, CGI-heavy disaster blockbusters such as Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and 2012. By backing an auteur-driven, medium-scale, 35mm romantic crime-thriller directed by Omar de Soto, Centropolis is demonstrating an appetite for diverse, character-driven storytelling that leans into indie sensibilities.

Furthermore, the project serves as a critical career milestone for its young leads. For Percy Hynes White, Crime Novella offers a prime vehicle to transition from teen-skewing streaming hits to complex, mature cinematic territory. For Jeff Wahlberg, the film cements his status as a go-to dramatic talent capable of carrying gritty genre pieces. As post-production continues through the latter half of 2026, industry analysts will be closely monitoring festival acquisition pipelines to see where this modern, transgressive homage to Badlands ultimately finds its theatrical and streaming home.