Odessa A'zion, known for her role in "Marty Supreme," has declared her withdrawal from the A24 film adaptation of "Deep Cuts," directed by Sean Durkin. This decision comes in the wake of significant public criticism that arose after her casting announcement. A'zion, in a statement released via her Instagram Stories, acknowledged the concerns, expressing regret for not having thoroughly familiarized herself with the source material before accepting the role.
The central point of contention revolves around the character of Zoe Gutierrez in Holly Brickley's popular 2025 novel. Zoe is specifically depicted as being of Mexican descent and Jewish. A'zion's casting sparked widespread debate online, prompting the actress to reconsider her involvement in the project. She candidly admitted that she initially auditioned for a different part, Percy, but was subsequently offered the role of Zoe, which she accepted without having read Brickley's book.
Upon learning more about the character's background and the resulting public sentiment, A'zion expressed her frustration and firmly stated her decision to exit the production. She articulated her belief that the role rightfully belongs to an actress who can authentically portray Zoe's specific heritage and identity. This move underscores a growing awareness within the entertainment industry regarding accurate and representative casting choices, particularly concerning diverse characters.
A'zion emphasized her personal ethos of never taking a part that is inherently meant for someone else, reinforcing her commitment to ethical casting practices. She expressed anticipation for who will ultimately be chosen for the role, confident that many talented individuals are capable of bringing Zoe Gutierrez to life on screen. Previously, Austin Butler and Saoirse Ronan were attached to the music-centric romance but withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.
The film is being produced by Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie, with Durkin also serving as a producer alongside Anthony Katagas, Jordan Tappis, and A24. Holly Brickley, the author of the novel, holds an executive producer credit on the adaptation. As of now, representatives for both A'zion and A24 have not yet provided additional comments regarding the recent developments.
In a significant turn of events, actress Odessa A'zion has publicly announced her withdrawal from the A24 film adaptation of "Deep Cuts." This decision follows considerable online discussion regarding her casting as Zoe Gutierrez, a character in the source novel explicitly written as Mexican and Jewish. A'zion admitted to accepting the role without having read the book and, upon realizing the character's specific background, opted to step aside, asserting that the role should be portrayed by someone more suitable to its authentic representation.