CINEMATIC VISIONS. LIMITLESS WORLDS
A Character-Driven Entertainment Studio
StoneGate Cinematic Universe brings bold ideas to life through immersive visuals and powerful storytelling. Founded on creativity and driven by passion, we work with a growing network of artists, animators, and visionaries to craft experiences that leave a lasting impact. At StoneGate, we believe every story deserves to be told with style, substance, and soul.
SUPPORT THE VISION: CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING FALL 2025
THIS FALL — YOUR BACKING UNLOCKS THE CITY
Fuel the story. Fund the vision. Enter StoneGate.
WHERE STORIES MOVE LIKE POWER
INSIDE THE GATE: NEWS, LORE & EVERYTHING SCU
Step into the GateFiles of StoneGate. From character deep dives and behind-the-scenes drops to universe-building updates and fan theories — this is where the world of SGCU unfolds. Stay tapped in as we expand the vision, one post at a time.
The Man Behind the Brand: Why Becoming Hank Luciano Is Be...
Jun 28, 2025
The Cost of a Dream: Why We’re Crowdfunding StoneGate City
Jun 27, 2025
From Street Routes to Graphic Panels: The Making of Distr...
Jun 25, 2025
Unlock the City: Support the Rise of StoneGate This Fall
Jun 24, 2025
Cartier on the Eyes. Luciano on the Chest. Welcome to the...
Jun 24, 2025
Welcome to StoneGate City: Where Crime, Tech, and Power C...
Jun 21, 2025
A NEW ERA OF INDEPENDENT STORYTELLING
At StoneGate Cinematic Universe, we turn bold ideas into cinematic storytelling with depth, style, and impact. Founded by Adam Dudley, an independent creative producer and entrepreneur from Charlottesville, VA, the studio was born from a deep passion for building immersive story worlds that resonate.
So far, Adam has been the driving force behind everything—developing concepts, writing early drafts, and even creating the visuals to bring the universe to life. While it’s designed to feel like a full production house, every step has been led by one visionary laying the groundwork for something greater.
Our debut project, Becoming Hank Luciano - StoneGate City, kicks off the journey. It started as a personal reflection of a near-death experience in Adam’s teenage years, but has evolved into a fully fictional crime-drama universe built to captivate. The film will be animated by a professional 3D studio, with screenplays written by Adam alongside a select team of writers and visual creatives including illustration artists, designers, and world-builders.
For all our projects, we’ll pursue funding through crowdfunding campaigns, private investment, and strategic partnerships—committed to bringing visionary indie cinema to life with a global audience in mind.
StoneGate Cinematic Universe is more than a brand—it’s a movement for independent creators pushing boundaries with originality, authenticity, and imagination.
SUPPORT THE VISION: CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING FALL 2025
At StoneGate Cinematic Universe, we believe independent storytelling deserves bold support — and we’re inviting you to be part of something original, cinematic, and culture-shifting.
This Fall 2025, we’re launching our first official crowdfunding campaign to bring our flagship project to life:
Becoming Hank Luciano: District Files
A gritty, character-driven graphic novel prelude leading into an animated crime-drama film, built from the ground up by creator Adam Dudley and a team of dedicated illustrators, writers, and visual artists.
While the animated film is being professionally developed — a process that may take years to complete — we’re launching a series of collectible graphic novels to build out the world and keep the story alive. These novels will explore different districts and characters of StoneGate City, giving supporters an immersive, ongoing experience while the film takes shape.
Your support helps fund:
- Illustration & Animation Production – High-quality 3D visuals, concept art, and motion sequences through Unreal Engine to bring StoneGate City to life.
- Screenwriting & Story Development – Original scripts crafted with care by Adam Dudley and select co-writers.
- Voice Talent & Casting – Professional voice actors to bring each character to life with depth and authenticity.
- World-Building & Lore Design – Mapping out districts, characters, safehouses, and the layered crime-tech universe.
- Music, Sound & FX – Custom scores, cinematic sound design, and audio engineering to enhance immersion.
- Graphic Novel Printing & Distribution – Physical and digital copies with collectible cover variants.
- Marketing & Community Building – Campaign visibility, giveaways, social media drops, and backer engagement.
- Limited-Edition Merch & Rewards – Apparel, exclusive art, character dossiers, early access, and more.
This isn’t just another project — it’s a full cinematic universe built with real vision and real independence. Whether you’re a fan, creative, or investor — your contribution fuels the future of StoneGate City.
OUR FIRST FEATURE: BECOMING HANK LUCIANO – STONEGATE CITY
Becoming Hank Luciano – StoneGate City is the flagship title launching the StoneGate Cinematic Universe. This original crime-drama project blends urban grit with psychological depth, set in a fictional world shaped by betrayal, power, and transformation.
Inspired by a near-death experience in the teenage years of creator Adam Dudley, the story began as a personal expression—but quickly evolved into a fully fictional narrative, rich with tension, mystery, and layered characters. It follows the journey of Hank Luciano, a man who reemerges after disappearing for years, determined to reclaim his place in a city that has changed without him.
The film will be brought to life using professional 3D animation, with screenplays written by Adam and refined in collaboration with a team of writers, illustrators, and world-building creatives. It’s a bold, cinematic statement—and the first in a lineup of projects designed to push the boundaries of independent storytelling.
This project represents our vision: to tell unforgettable stories with unique visual style and emotional impact, while giving independent creators a stage to create something legendary.
DISTRICT FILES GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES | BHL - BLEAKSTONE POINT ISSUE #1
BLEAKSTONE POINT — EVERY LEGEND HAS AN ORIGIN
Bleakstone Point is the pulse of StoneGate City—honest, hard, and human. On one end, the district breathes steady with working and middle-class families. These are the builders—folks making ends meet through skilled trades, steady jobs, small businesses, and deep-rooted hustle. The blocks here carry schools, strip malls, mom-and-pop diners, Bleakstone General Hospital, and a community college that serves second chances. But Bleakstone’s not one-sided. Across town, you’ll find The Lowers and Bayview Terrace—two neighborhoods that wear the city’s pain out loud. Here, boarded windows share space with corner hustlers and forgotten playgrounds. It’s where opportunity runs thin and survival runs the streets. Violence hits closer, and trust takes longer to earn. But even here, community still breathes—through late-night cookouts, porch-watch elders, and young kids dreaming bigger. And it’s here, in the shadow of that struggle, that a new vision rises. The Rise at Bleakstone—a transformative housing initiative founded by Sincere Cross (Hank Luciano)—is changing the landscape. What was once an abandoned lot is now a secure neighborhood of modern tiny homes and renovated trailers designed to shelter StoneGate’s most vulnerable. Built with dignity, this space prioritizes homeless veterans, single parents, and citizens trying to rebuild from the ground up. This project is more than just property—it’s personal. For Sincere, it’s a way to give back to the city that raised him, scarred him, and taught him everything he knows. The Rise is his answer to a past filled with pain—a living promise to create something better for the next generation. But The Rise isn’t just a place to sleep — it’s a blueprint for restoration. Community gardens. Mental health resources. Career training. Free meals. Education programs. It’s not a shelter. It’s structure. It’s stability. It’s a second shot at life. Bleakstone Point is more than a district—it’s a layered story of contrast and resilience. One half grinding toward progress, the other clawing through the chaos. And in between, a new chapter being written—by a man who walked through fire and came back to build something that lasts.
SUPPORT THE VISION: CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING FALL 2025
THIS FALL — YOUR BACKING UNLOCKS THE CITY
Fuel the story. Fund the vision. Enter StoneGate.
GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES - DISTRICT FILES
Every district has a story. Every page pulls you deeper.
Our Graphic Novel District Series file is the foundation of the entire universe — a layered story world built district by district, character by character, betrayal by betrayal. Through immersive storytelling and bold visuals, each issue exposes a different piece of the city’s underworld and the players fighting to control it.
But this series — and everything connected to it — only becomes reality if the campaign succeeds.
We’re laying the groundwork for something massive: a graphic novel series, followed by a 3D animated film and series. The blueprint is built. The vision is locked. Now it’s up to the community to bring it to life.
Issue #1: BHL – BleakStone Point
The journey begins in BleakStone Point, a district known for its silence, scars, and shadows. This first issue follows Sincere Cross during the early stages of his life — before betrayal, before revenge, before the name Hank Luciano was ever spoken.
You’ll meet the people who influenced his path, the choices that haunted him, and the sparks that would ignite a war years later. It’s not just an origin story — it’s the beginning of a citywide power shift.
What to Expect from the District Series:
- District-Based Arcs: Each graphic novel focuses on a different district of StoneGate City — each with its own culture, politics, and dangers.
- New Characters & Factions: Crews, syndicates, insiders, and ghosts — all introduced as the series expands across the map.
- Cinematic Worldbuilding: Every issue adds depth to the timeline, feeding into the animated film and series still to
BECOMING HANK LUCIANO - STONEGATE CITY (FILM/SERIES)
StoneGate City runs on power, loyalty, and betrayal — but nothing comes without a price. It all ignites with a bold heist at the StoneGate Federal Reserve.
Sincere Cross was pulled into a setup. The crew wasn’t his — handpicked by Dominic Virelli, a corporate kingpin with criminal reach. The job was never meant to succeed. During the chaos, Sincere stayed connected to Nyla Vex through an earpiece. She heard everything. Along with Catalina Rojas, she moved in fast and pulled him out just before the StoneGate Diplomatic Security & Protection (SDISP) arrived.
Sincere and Nyla escaped to a hidden overseas hideout — a place no one knew existed. And for twenty years, they stayed silent.
But StoneGate has a law: If a suspect in a major crime escapes and avoids capture for 20 years, they’re no longer considered a wanted fugitive — regardless of the offense.
Now the time has passed. Sincere Cross returns under a new identity — Hank Luciano. The voice is quieter, the presence colder, and the mission clear: reclaim everything stolen from him and dismantle the empire that rose from his blood.
StoneGate City thought it had buried him. But ghosts don’t stay gone — they rebuild in silence and return with vengeance.
SUPPORT THE VISION: CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING FALL 2025
THIS FALL — YOUR BACKING UNLOCKS THE CITY
Fuel the story. Fund the vision. Enter StoneGate.
FICTIONAL CHARACTERS | STONEGATE CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
FEATURED CHARACTERS
Allies. Enemies. Kings. Queens. Killers. Crews. StoneGate isn’t just a city—it’s a battlefield of agendas. This section dives into the people who run it, ruin it, and try to survive it. From crime families and street gangs to secret operatives and rogue leaders— every name here holds weight, and every face plays a role. → Crews | Factions | Power Moves | Ties & Rivalries
Hank Luciano (Formerly Sincere Cross)
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Real Name: Sincere Cross
Current Identity: Hank Luciano
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Black Signal
Backstory:
Once a quiet cannabis dispensary driver in Bleakstone Point, Sincere stumbled into the city's criminal elite after a mysterious order drop-off turned into a life-changing opportunity. Disappearing from the streets after betrayal, he resurfaced as Hank Luciano 20 years later — calculated, reserved, and building an empire of his own design.
Physical Skills:
- Tactical driving & urban navigation
- Firearms training & close-quarters combat
- Strategic planning & silent operations
Charecter Profile:
Low-key. Cold presence. Rarely smiles. Dresses sharp — mostly in black. Signature fedora. Speaks when it matters. Commands without raising his voice. He’s the kind of figure people respect without needing a long intro.
NYLA VEX
Covert Ops Commander / Strategic Enforcer
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Real Name: NYLA VEX
Nickname: VEX
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Black Signal (Co-Founder)
Backstory:
Raised in chaos, Nyla learned to lead in the middle of warzones—urban and emotional. By 17, she was running tactical crews. After saving Catalina Rojas from a cartel hit, the two became inseparable. When the StoneGate Federal Reserve heist imploded, Nyla pulled off a silent extraction and vanished with Hank Luciano. Since then, she’s been his shadow and sword.
Physical Skills:
- Mixed martial arts (brutal efficiency in close quarters)
- Tactical firearms expert (rifle, SMG, pistol)
- Stealth operations and night infiltration
- Urban parkour and rooftop pursuit
BLACK SIGNAL: STREET TACTICAL UNIT
Personal bodyguards, urban enforcers, and covert ops team for Hank Luciano and Black Signal.
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Status: Active
Affiliation: Black Signal
Backstory:
Black Signal’s elite street unit is Hank Luciano’s frontline — suited in matte-black tactical gear, face-masked, and synced through encrypted comms. Built after the failed StoneGate Federal Reserve heist 20 years ago by Hank Luciano and Nyla Vex, this crew handles urban infiltration, high-risk extractions, personal protection, and deadly enforcement ops with surgical precision.
Skills:
- Urban warfare & tactical breaching
- High-speed pursuit & evasive driving
- Surveillance, heist execution, and protection ops
Physical Strengths:
- Firearm mastery
- CQC (Close Quarters Combat)
- Parkour & Silent movements
DOMINIC VIRELLI
Billionaire kingpin disguised as a "philanthropist and financial leader."
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Virelli Crime Family
Backstory:
Dominic Virelli is StoneGate City’s most elusive and untouchable power player. On paper, he’s a billionaire investor and global philanthropist — a man whose name is etched on hospitals, museums, and elite financial boards. But beneath the polished surface lies a criminal mastermind whose empire stretches far beyond city limits, cloaked in shell companies, offshore accounts, and political alliances.
KAI NAKAMURA
Cyber Recon Specialist / Field Assassin
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Real Name: Kai Nakamura
Nickname: KAI
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Black Signal
Backstory:
Born in Tokyo’s criminal underground. Raised between code and chaos. Trained by syndicates, sharpened by survival. Kai is BLACKSIGNAL’s silent dagger — infiltrator, observer, and executioner, all in one.
Physical Skills:
- Knife combat, parkour mobility, silent takedowns
- Pistol sharpshooting (silencers and rapid draw techniques)
CATALINA ROJAS
Intelligence Ops / Mission Support Specialist
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Real Name: Catalina Rojas
Nickname: CAT
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Black Signal
Backstory:
Dodged cartel warfare growing up in Mexico City. Nyla Vex saved her from a deadly situation, and since then, Catalina has been Nyla’s right hand—combining beauty with bulletproof loyalty.
Physical Skills:
- Krav Maga (fast neutralization moves)
- Dual pistol sharpshooting
- Rapid lock picking and escape techniques
ROMAN "GRIMM" COSTA
Weapons Specialist / Demolitions Expert
DISTRICT FILE: BleakStone Point
Real Name: Roman Costa
Nickname: GRIMM
Status: Alive
Affiliation: Black Signal/Street Tactical unit
Backstory:
Blacklisted by private military contractors after a botched shadow war. Found redemption—and a new purpose—under Hank Luciano’s command. Now he’s the blast behind the chaos.
Skills:
- Ordnance specialist (custom bombs & breaching tools)
- Weapons modification (tuning firearms per mission)
- Ballistics wizard (trajectory sniping & precision demolition)
Physical Skills:
- Heavyweight brawler — bare-knuckle beast
- Firearms expert (from SMGs to heavy rifles)
BLACK SIGNAL: THE BLACK VAULT
Black Signal’s Hidden Headquarters
Carved deep into a remote mountain range and buried beneath layers of misdirection, The Black Vault is the command center for all things Black Signal. More than just a hideout, it’s a full-scale operations hub — silent, deadly, and untraceable.
This off-grid desert fortress was designed to run shadow ops in plain sight. Built after the failed Federal Reserve heist, The Black Vault serves as the brain and backbone of Black Signal’s movements — from global intel to urban infiltration.
Core Operations Inside The Black Vault Include:
- Cyber-espionage & digital warfare
- Industrial sabotage & tech manipulation
- High-value asset extraction missions
- Criminal intelligence gathering
- Smuggling & black market tech deals
- Counter-surveillance and drone warfare drills
The Black Vault isn’t just a base. It’s a war engine, designed for digital takedowns, real-world disruption, and the kind of work no one talks about.
OBSIDIAN SYSTEMS GROUP
Obsidian Systems Group is a high-level cybersecurity and digital infrastructure firm based in downtown StoneGate City. Founded by Hank Luciano and led by CEO Catalina Rojas, the company built its reputation on quiet precision, elite service, and next-gen tech solutions trusted by banks, private institutions, and government clients.
On the surface, Obsidian specializes in cyber defense, encrypted communications, and advanced threat research. But beneath the clean corporate image lies a darker truth. While Hank and Nyla disappeared off the map after the failed heist 20 years ago, Catalina built Obsidian from the ground up — turning it into the digital backbone of Black Signal.
Behind closed doors, the firm handles covert surveillance, backdoor mapping, and discreet data operations that support missions far beyond legal limits. Obsidian is where public image meets private control — and in StoneGate City, it’s the most powerful tech you’ll never hear about.
EVERY VEHICLE IS A WEAPON. EVERY ROUTE IS A MISSION.
VEHICLES IN THE STONEGATE UNIVERSE
Street-Coded. War-Ready. Driven by Allies and Enemies Alike. In StoneGate, every engine has purpose. Whether it rolls with Black Signal or belongs to an enemy faction, a vehicle isn’t just about speed—it’s about survival, intimidation, and control. SUVs dominate this world—urban tanks dressed in silence. Armored. Tactical. Built for land, built for water. From sleek recon rigs to ghost-black command vehicles, every machine says something about the person behind the wheel. This section reveals the signature rides of both allies and enemies—each one designed to handle city heat, off-road escapes, and full-blown warzone. Some rides for order. Some for chaos. All for power.
SUPPORT THE VISION: CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING FALL 2025
THIS FALL — YOUR BACKING UNLOCKS THE CITY
Fuel the story. Fund the vision. Enter StoneGate.
POWERING A UNIVERSE. BUILT FOR THE SCREEN. DESIGNED FOR THE FUTURE
A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE
At the core of the StoneGate Cinematic Universe is a real-time production pipeline designed for scalability. We’re investing in cutting-edge tech — from Unreal Engine and MetaHuman integration to AI-assisted workflows and virtual production — to build an IP that extends across film, gaming, animation, and immersive platforms. Each character, asset, and environment is created with interoperability in mind, meaning what we build today isn’t just content — it’s digital infrastructure. These tools allow us to move faster, pivot smarter, and extend the StoneGate experience into every major entertainment format. By supporting this campaign early, you’re not just backing a story — you're joining the foundation of a scalable cinematic IP ecosystem positioned for future partnerships, licensing, and distribution.
ARTISTIC VISIONARIES
BEHIND THE SCENES: WORLD ARCHITECTS
The blueprint of StoneGate City doesn’t live in code or ink — it lives in the minds of the visionaries who shape it. These are the artists, designers, and storytellers responsible for building the world — one district, one character, one cinematic moment at a time. From early concept sketches to immersive 3D environments, our World Architects craft every detail with precision and purpose. This is the team behind the shadows, the skyline, and the soul of the story. Welcome to the foundation of the StoneGate Cinematic Universe.
Adam Dudley
Adam Dudley, also known as Hank Luciano is the visionary behind StoneGate Cinematic Universe. An independent creative producer and entrepreneur from Charlottesville, VA, Adam brings bold concepts to life through storytelling, visual development, and strategic planning. With a passion for immersive worlds and cinematic storytelling, he laid the foundation for StoneGate entirely on his own so far — developing the story universe, writing early scripts, and designing the initial visuals.
Adam leads the creative direction and production strategy for all StoneGate projects, including the studio's debut title, Becoming Hank Luciano. While he’s crafted much of the early work solo, he actively collaborates with artists, writers, and designers to build a powerhouse team ready to make an impact in indie film and animation.
SUPPORT THE VISION: CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN COMING FALL 2025
THIS FALL — YOUR BACKING UNLOCKS THE CITY
Fuel the story. Fund the vision. Enter StoneGate.