Marty Supreme’s rising star Odessa A’zion announced Wednesday night that she has exited Sean Durkin’s A24 film Deep Cuts following online backlash to her casting, which was only revealed 48 hours ago.
A’zion took to Instagram Stories to tell her fans and followers that she took to heart their comments and concerns about whitewashing the adaptation of Holly Brickley’s novel, published in 2023. A’zion was poised to play a character named Zoe Gutierrez, who is described in the book as half Mexican and half Jewish. (In unverified comments shared online, Brickley responded via DM to a fan by saying the character “surely” will be rewritten, “which happens all the time.”)
“Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie,” the actress posted. “Fuck that. I’m OUT.” She then elaborated: “THANK YOU guys for bringing this to my attention. I AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! This is why I love you guys. I’m so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in on how it all went down: I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I’m so pissed y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting…and now that I know what I know???”
A’zion set to star opposite Drew Starkey and Cailee Spaeny in the 2000s-set story about two music obsessed 20-somethings as they chase ambition, belonging and adulthood. Spaeny is set to play music critic Percy with Starkey as a songwriter and love interest.
“I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it. That SHOULD do it! That’s not me. There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am NOT one of them,” A’zion concluded. “I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”
News of her casting was first reported by The Wrap. Per reports, Durkin, who previously directed The Iron Claw and The Nest is set to direct from his own script. He is also producing with Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie with Blake Mills on board for original music.
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