Casting Controversy Forces Odessa A’zion To Quit Deep Cut Within 48 Hours | Full Story

Sometimes, casting announcements barely make a ripple. Other times, they spark a storm and Deep Cut has landed firmly in the second category. Odessa A’zion, who recently broke out with Marty Supreme, has stepped away from Sean Durkin’s upcoming A24 film just days after her casting was revealed.

The actor confirmed her exit on Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, less than 48 hours after the announcement of her role became public. The backlash centred on concerns that her casting could contribute to whitewashing, reigniting a long-running debate about cultural authenticity in Hollywood adaptations.

The controversy stemmed from A’zion being cast as Zoe Gutirrez, a character in Holly Brickley’s 2023 novel who is described as half Mexican and half Jewish.

Readers and social media users questioned the decision, arguing that casting a white actor diluted the character’s cultural identity and reflected a familiar industry pattern.

Fuel was added to the criticism after unverified screenshots circulated online, claiming Brickley had told a fan via direct message that the character would “surely” be rewritten — “which happens all the time.” While the messages were never officially confirmed, they intensified concerns about changes to the source material.

A’zion addressed the situation directly on social media, making it clear she would no longer be part of the project. “Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. Fuck that. I’m OUT,” she wrote.

She later explained that she had not been fully aware of the character’s background when she accepted the role. According to A’zion, she had originally auditioned for the part of Percy and was later offered Zoe, which she accepted without having read the book. Once she learned more about the character, she decided to step away.

“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???” she stated in her Instagram Stories.

Emphasising her stance on representation, the actor added, “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.”

While her decision drew attention for its speed, A’zion is not alone in stepping back from roles following whitewashing backlash. In 2017, British actor Ed Skrein exited the Hellboy reboot after being cast as Major Ben Daimio, a character of mixed Asian heritage in the comics. Scarlett Johansson also withdrew from the 2018 film Rub & Tug after criticism over casting a cisgender actor in a transgender role.

At the same time, Hollywood has seen numerous casting controversies — including Ghost in the Shell, Gods of Egypt, Aloha, and Doctor Strange — where productions moved forward despite public criticism, often reigniting debates around systemic underrepresentation.

Deep Cut is set in the 2000s and follows two young adults deeply immersed in music as they navigate ambition, identity and adulthood. Cailee Spaeny has been cast as Percy, a music critic, while Drew Starkey plays a songwriter and her romantic interest. The film is being directed by Sean Durkin, known for The Iron Claw and The Nest, and produced by Durkin alongside Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie. Blake Mills is composing the original music.