Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Ever since the announcement of A24’s Deep Cuts movie, the project has been a magnet for headlines. First, it was the star-studded shuffle involving Austin Butler and Saoirse Ronan. Now, it’s a full-blown casting controversy. Odessa Azion, a rising star known for her work in Marty Supreme, has officially pulled out of the film just days after her casting went public.
The situation moved incredibly fast, sparked by fans of the original Holly Brickley Deep Cuts book who noticed a major discrepancy between the actress and the character she was set to play: Zoe Gutierrez.
Summary: In January 2026, actress Odessa A’zion announced her immediate exit from the A24 film Deep Cuts following intense social media backlash. The controversy arose because A’zion, who is white, was cast as Zoe Gutierrez—a character explicitly written as half-Mexican and half-Jewish in the original novel by Holly Brickley. A’zion issued a candid apology on Instagram, admitting she hadn’t read the book before accepting the role and stating she would never want to take a character away from someone who could represent that heritage authentically.
Why did Odessa A’zion leave Deep Cuts?
The departure wasn’t a standard “creative differences” split or a scheduling conflict. It was a direct response to a vocal online movement regarding A24 Deep Cuts whitewashing concerns. This wasn’t just a handful of trolls; it was a collective of book fans and cultural advocates pointing out a fundamental flaw in the casting process.
- The Casting Misstep: Odessa was cast as Zoe Gutierrez, a character who is explicitly half-Mexican and half-Jewish in the novel. In a story that leans heavily into the early 2000s music scene and the feeling of “not belonging,” Zoe’s specific background is a vital part of her perspective.
- The Fan Reaction: Within hours of the casting news, social media was flooded with comparisons between the book’s description and Odessa’s own background. Critics argued that casting a white actress—even one as talented as A’zion—effectively erased the character’s Mexican identity.
- The “I Hadn’t Read the Book” Defense: In a surprisingly transparent move, Odessa admitted that she accepted the job based on the script and the opportunity to work with a high-profile team, without realizing the character’s origins in the source material.
- Integrity Over Industry: Rather than staying quiet or letting the studio “fix it” in post-production, she chose to step down, stating she didn’t want to take a role away from someone who could represent the character authentically.
Breaking Down the Deep Cuts Movie Casting Controversy
When Sean Durkin (the director behind the heavy-hitting The Iron Claw) signed on to bring this story to life, expectations were through the roof. However, the decision to cast Odessa sparked a heated debate about how Hollywood handles representation in 2026.
I’ve seen plenty of casting fires in my decade of covering this industry, but this one was unique because of the speed of the resolution. Usually, studios dig their heels in. Here, the actor took the lead. The Deep Cuts movie casting controversy highlights a growing trend: audiences are no longer willing to accept “color-blind” casting when the character’s ethnicity is a plot point.
The Role of Zoe Gutierrez in the Deep Cuts Book
In the original story, Zoe Gutierrez isn’t just a sidekick or a background face. Her identity is a core part of her narrative arc.
- Cultural Identity: Zoe is half-Mexican and half-Jewish, navigating the early 2000s music scene in New York and Berkeley. Her experiences are flavored by her heritage, influencing everything from her family dynamics to her social interactions.
- Zoe vs. Percy: While Cailee Spaeny plays the lead, Percy, Zoe serves as a critical mirror to the story’s themes. If Percy represents the “outsider” who wants in, Zoe represents the “other” who is often tokenized by the very industry they are trying to conquer.
- Why Fans Fought Back: Supporters of the book argued that erasing Zoe’s heritage by casting a white actress would fundamentally change the story’s DNA. It wasn’t just about a name; it was about the lived experience that the name represents.
Read more: 10 Powerful Power Automate Use Cases for Different Industries: Boost Efficiency & Automation
The Odessa A’zion Instagram Story Update
Odessa A’zion didn’t hide behind a carefully worded publicist’s note or a “busy schedule” excuse. Her Odessa A’zion Instagram story update was blunt, emotional, and remarkably human. It felt less like a PR move and more like a realization happening in real-time.
Direct Quotes from the Source
She used phrases that you rarely see in a polished Hollywood environment. Some of her most impactful words included:
- “F–k that. I’m OUT.”
- “I AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!”
- “THANK YOU guys for bringing this to my attention.”
The Timeline of the Mistake
She explained that she originally went in to read for a different character (Percy), but the team offered her Zoe instead. Because she was a fan of the director and the studio, she “instantly said yes” without having read the novel first. It’s a classic case of excitement overshadowing due diligence, but her willingness to own the error was what turned the tide of public opinion from anger to respect.
What’s Next for A24’s Deep Cuts?
With filming originally scheduled to begin in February 2026, the production team now has a major hole to fill in the Deep Cuts movie cast. This puts Sean Durkin and A24 in a bit of a tight spot, but it also opens the door for a massive win in terms of authentic casting.
Who is playing Zoe Gutierrez in Deep Cuts?
As of right now, the role is vacant. The Odessa A’zion Deep Cuts exit has left the floor open. Fans have already started “fan-casting” the role on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), suggesting actresses like Melissa Barrera or rising Latina stars who can bring Zoe’s specific background to life. The search is officially on for an actress who can inhabit both the Mexican and Jewish aspects of the character.
The Current Cast and Production Status
Despite the exit, the core of the film remains strong. Here is the current breakdown for the A24 Deep Cuts movie release date and cast:
- Director/Writer: Sean Durkin.
- Lead Stars: Cailee Spaeny (playing Percy Marks) and Drew Starkey (playing Joe Morrow).
- Producers: The project is being produced by Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie.
- Release Date: A24 has not set a firm date yet, but industry insiders are eyeing a late 2026 festival run, provided the new Zoe is found quickly.
Read more: Best 20 Free Intermittent Fasting Apps with No Subscription
A24 and the Growing Pains of Adaptation
This isn’t the first time a studio has faced heat for Holly Brickley Deep Cuts book vs movie characters differences. However, the Odessa A’zion casting backlash explained a lot about the current state of film: the gap between “script-ready” and “source-accurate” is closing.
Authenticity Over Ease
In the past, a studio might have just changed the character’s last name to “Smith” and moved on. But in 2026, the digital footprint of a book’s fandom is too large to ignore. Fans feel a sense of ownership over the characters they love, and they have the tools to hold billion-dollar studios accountable in seconds.
The Rewriting Rumors
Before the Odessa A’zion Deep Cuts exit, rumors circulated that the script was being tweaked to remove Zoe’s Mexican heritage entirely. This is often the “easy way out” for productions that have already fallen in love with a specific actor. However, as this situation proved, that path often leads to more PR damage than a simple recast ever would.
The “Safdie” Factor
With Josh Safdie producing, there’s an expectation of “grit” and “realism.” Whitewashing a character is the antithesis of that aesthetic. By allowing A’zion to step down and looking for a more accurate fit, the production actually preserves the very “indie credibility” that makes A24 movies successful in the first place.
Read more: 10 Best Free Weight Loss Apps with No Subscription
Conclusion: A Lesson in Accountability
The saga of odessa azion leaving deep cuts is more than just a piece of celebrity gossip. It’s a case study in how the industry is changing. We’re moving away from a time where actors can simply say “I just play the part” and into an era where they are expected to be stewards of the stories they tell.
By choosing to leave, Odessa didn’t just dodge a PR bullet; she showed a level of professional maturity that will likely serve her career well in the long run. Now, the ball is in A24’s court to find a Zoe Gutierrez who represents the fans who fought so hard for her.
Why did Odessa A’zion leave Deep Cuts?
Odessa A’zion exited the project after learning about the ethnic background of her character, Zoe Gutierrez, which she had not realized when first accepting the role. After fans pointed out that the character is half-Mexican and half-Jewish in the Holly Brickley Deep Cuts book, Odessa decided to step down. She stated that she didn’t want to contribute to the erasure of a character’s identity and felt the role should go to an actress who could represent that heritage authentically.
What was the Deep Cuts movie casting controversy about?
The controversy centered on concerns of A24 Deep Cuts whitewashing. The production cast Odessa A’zion, a white actress, to play a character with specific Mexican roots. Readers of the original novel quickly took to social media to protest the decision, arguing that the film was stripping away a vital part of Zoe’s identity. The backlash intensified when rumors surfaced that the script might be altered to remove the character’s heritage to fit the casting.
Who is Zoe Gutierrez in the Deep Cuts book?
In the novel, Zoe Gutierrez is the best friend of the protagonist, Percy Marks, and the ex-girlfriend of Joe Morrow. She is a pivotal character described as being half-Mexican and half-Jewish. Her journey involves themes of self-discovery and belonging within the 2000s indie music scene, making her cultural background a significant element of her character arc rather than just a footnote.
Who is playing Zoe Gutierrez in Deep Cuts now?
Following the Odessa A’zion Deep Cuts exit, the role of Zoe Gutierrez is currently vacant. A24 and director Sean Durkin have not yet announced a replacement. However, the production is expected to look for a Latina actress to fill the role to align with the source material and address the concerns raised by the audience.
What is the A24 Deep Cuts movie release date and cast?
While an official release date has not been set, the film is expected to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027. The current Deep Cuts movie cast includes Cailee Spaeny as Percy Marks and Drew Starkey as Joe Morrow. Production was originally slated to begin in February 2026, though the search for a new Zoe Gutierrez may cause slight adjustments to the filming schedule.
Very Informative post!