Marty Supreme's Odessa A'zion Exits A24 Film Deep Cut After Casting Backlash; Entire Whitewashing Controversy Explained

Marty Supreme’s breakout star Odessa A’zion has announced her exit from Sean Durkin’s upcoming A24 film Deep Cut following online backlash over her casting. This has ignited a broader conversation around

representation and whitewashing in Hollywood adaptations. The actress confirmed her departure on Instagram Stories on Wednesday night – merely 48 hours after her casting was first revealed, following fan concerns that her role could contribute to the erasure of a character’s ethnic identity as portrayed in Holly Brickley’s 2023 novel. However, Odessa A’zion is not the first actor to leave a project over whitewashing concerns. She is among a very small but highly visible group to publicly step away because of casting-representation backlash.

Why Odessa A'zion's Casting Sparked Controversy?

Odessa A’zion had been set to play the character Zoe Gutirrez, described in Brickley’s novel as half Mexican and half Jewish. Following the casting announcement, it was met with strong criticism from readers and online commentators who argued that choosing a white actress for the role undermined the character’s cultural specificity and highlighted a recurring whitewashing issue in Hollywood adaptations.

As per reports by several Western media, unverified screenshots on social media claimed that Brickley told a fan via direct message that the character would “surely” be rewritten – “which happens all the time” - a remark that further ignited criticism with netizens viewing it as an example of source material being diluted for mainstream casting.

A’zion Steps Away from Deep Cut

Following the criticism, A’zion said took to Instagram stories and revealed she was unaware of the character’s background when she accepted the role. “Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. Fuck that. I’m OUT,” she wrote. The actress went on to explain that she initially auditioned for the role of Percy, but was later offered Zoe and accepted without reading the novel. On learning more about the character’s identity, the actress said she reconsidered her involvement.

“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, before emphasising she did not want to take a role meant for someone with lived cultural ties to the character.“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,” she said.

Odessa A’zion is Not The Only One

However, A’zion is not the only actress to step away from a project following whitewashing backlash. Back 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. After backlash, he publicly stepped down so the role could be cast authentically. Similarly, Scarlett Johansson withdrew from playing a transgender man in the 2018 film Rub & Tug after criticism about cis actors taking trans roles.On the contrary, Hollywood has seen dozens of casting scandals including those in Ghost in the Shell, Gods of Egypt, Aloha, and even Doctor Strange. However, most actors stayed in their roles, and studios went ahead with the films despite criticism.

What is Deep Cut all about?

Deep Cut is a drama set in the 2000s which follows two music-obsessed young adults as they live their lives through ambition, identity, and adulthood. Cailee Spaeny has been cast as Percy, a music critic, while Drew Starkey plays a songwriter and romantic interest. Sean Durkin of The Iron Claw and The Nest fame is directing and producing alongside Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie. Blake Mills will be composing the original music.

Whitewashing in Adaptations

The controversy and subsequent exit of A’zion surrounding Deep Cut reflects a longstanding debate in film and television adaptations where studios prioritise casting marketability over cultural authenticity. Critics argue that altering character identities or casting outside character backgrounds perpetuates systemic underrepresentation. As of now with A’zion’s exit, casting for Zoe Gutierrez is once again open, and attention will likely be on whether the production moves to cast a Latina and/or Jewish actress in the role.