The landscape of independent cinema is set to shift with the announcement of Crime Novella, a high-stakes romance thriller that marks the feature directorial debut of Omar de Soto. The production, which recently wrapped principal photography, has generated significant industry buzz due to its deliberate aesthetic choices, including being shot entirely on 35mm film, and a powerhouse ensemble cast led by Percy Hynes White and Jeff Wahlberg. The film, backed by Centropolis Entertainment—the production house founded by blockbuster auteur Roland Emmerich—promises to blend the visceral energy of classic road-trip crime dramas with a contemporary, transgressive sensibility.
The Production and Aesthetic Vision
Crime Novella serves as a stylistic departure for the production team involved, moving away from the large-scale disaster spectacles typically associated with Centropolis Entertainment toward a more intimate, character-driven narrative. Filming took place over the summer across a sprawling itinerary that included Albuquerque, New Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and several locations in Mexico.
The decision to shoot on 35mm film is a significant creative choice in an era dominated by digital acquisition. By opting for analog celluloid, de Soto and his cinematographic team aim to capture the sun-drenched, grainy texture reminiscent of the 1970s New Hollywood era. Producers have explicitly cited works such as Terrence Malick’s Badlands and David Lynch’s Wild at Heart as spiritual ancestors to the film, suggesting that Crime Novella will focus heavily on the psychological erosion of its central characters as they flee an escalating series of consequences.
Cast and Character Dynamics
The project centers on the relationship between two protagonists, Cash and Valentine, portrayed by Percy Hynes White and Jeff Wahlberg, respectively. Hynes White, coming off his breakout success in the Netflix series Wednesday and the well-received Sundance comedy-drama My Old Ass, has been noted for his ability to handle emotionally complex roles. Wahlberg, known for his work in HBO’s Euphoria, brings a grit that complements the film’s high-tension premise.
Supporting the leads is a cast of seasoned performers:
- Zlatko Burić: The Triangle of Sadness star, who earned top honors at the 35th European Film Awards, brings a formidable presence to the film. His involvement serves as a bridge to his past collaborations with Centropolis, specifically the disaster epic 2012.
- Bobby Soto: Known for his visceral performance in David Ayer’s The Tax Collector, Soto’s inclusion adds to the film’s gritty, street-level credibility.
- Ava del Cielo: With a resume that spans House of Cards and From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, del Cielo rounds out the cast, bringing a depth of experience in both political and genre-based storytelling.
Director Omar de Soto expressed high confidence in his leads, noting that the chemistry between Hynes White and Wahlberg was the anchor of the entire project. "Cash and Valentine have always been the heart of this film," de Soto remarked. "Percy and Jeff are intoxicating onscreen. You simply cannot take your eyes off them."
Chronology of Development
The development of Crime Novella followed a disciplined trajectory through the post-pandemic production cycle:
- Pre-production: Development was spearheaded by de Soto, with financing secured through Centropolis Entertainment and production oversight managed by Paul Bennett IV of Replica and Marco Shepherd.
- Summer 2026: Principal photography commenced, spanning multiple states and international borders to capture the expansive, nomadic nature of the narrative.
- Late September 2026: The production officially announced the project to the public, coinciding with the release of first-look photography, signaling the transition into the post-production phase.
Industry Context and Roland Emmerich’s Involvement
The involvement of Roland Emmerich as executive producer is a point of considerable interest for industry analysts. While Emmerich is synonymous with global-scale blockbusters such as Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, his support for Crime Novella indicates a strategic expansion of the Centropolis portfolio. By backing a smaller-budget, auteur-driven film, Centropolis is positioning itself to capture the growing market for prestige indie dramas that prioritize artistic vision over tentpole mechanics.
Marco Shepherd, a veteran producer at Centropolis, has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the film’s ambitious creative requirements and the practical realities of independent production. This film marks a significant milestone for the company as it seeks to diversify its slate beyond traditional genre fare.
Fact-Based Analysis of Market Impact
The decision to cast talent with strong streaming credentials, such as Hynes White (Wednesday) and Wahlberg (Euphoria), suggests that the production is keeping an eye on the digital distribution market. In the current media landscape, films that feature a combination of "prestige-indie" aesthetics and recognizable streaming-era talent often perform well in the festival circuit before finding a home on major platforms.
The use of 35mm film is also a tactical marketing decision. In an age of high-definition digital crispness, the physical aesthetic of film creates a "prestige" branding that helps distinguish Crime Novella in a crowded marketplace. It signals to critics and audiences alike that the film is a serious work of craft, potentially positioning it for high-profile film festival premieres in the coming year.
Thematic Implications
At its core, Crime Novella explores the limits of human connection under duress. The "lovers-on-the-run" trope is one of the most enduring motifs in American cinema, but its success relies entirely on the stakes involved. If the film can successfully navigate the thin line between romantic idealism and the harsh realities of criminal life—as promised by the filmmakers’ allusions to Badlands—it could resonate deeply with a demographic currently underserved by the lack of original, non-franchise thrillers.
Production Credits and Representation
The project is a collaborative effort involving a robust team of professionals. The film is produced by Omar de Soto, Paul Bennett IV, and Marco Shepherd. Co-producers include Jessica Olthof and Helena Martel Seward.
The talent involved is represented by a roster of major agencies:
- Percy Hynes White: Innovative Artists, Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates (OAZ), and Sloane, Offer.
- Jeff Wahlberg: Innovative Artists, Leverage Management, and Sloane, Offer.
- Zlatko Burić: Art Management.
- Bobby Soto: Innovative Artists, Anonymous Content, and Goodman, Genow.
- Ava del Cielo: Mitchell & Associates Talent.
- Roland Emmerich and Centropolis Entertainment: CAA.
As the industry looks toward the upcoming awards and festival seasons, Crime Novella stands out as a project that balances the commercial appeal of its leads with the artistic credibility of its director and executive producers. The film’s success will likely hinge on the edit and the final execution of its tone, but given the pedigree of the team and the deliberate care taken in its production, it is poised to be a notable entry in the 2027 film cycle. With filming now complete, the anticipation shifts to the first public trailer and potential festival announcements, where audiences will finally get a sense of whether the "intoxicating" performances described by de Soto translate to the screen.
