What is known about Odessa A’zion pulling out of A24 film Deep Cuts reveals a rare and high-profile case of an actor voluntarily stepping away from a major production just weeks before filming was due to begin. The decision was announced late on January 28, 2026, after a swift online backlash over casting and representation, with fans of the original novel accusing the project of whitewashing a culturally specific character. According to statements shared by the actress on social media, A’zion acknowledged she had not read the book before accepting the role and apologised directly to readers. The film, backed by A24, was scheduled to start shooting in February, reports The WP Times.
The announcement that sparked the backlash
The controversy erupted after reports confirmed that Odessa A’zion had joined the cast of Deep Cuts, an upcoming feature backed by A24 and directed by Sean Durkin. The casting news, first reported earlier in the week, quickly gained traction among readers of the novel on which the film is based. Within hours, discussion spread across social media platforms, with fans questioning whether the casting decision remained faithful to the source material and its depiction of key characters.
At the centre of the backlash was the role of Zoe Gutierrez — a supporting yet culturally specific character. Critics argued that the casting choice risked undermining the novel’s representation and raised concerns that a defining element of Zoe’s identity could be diluted or erased in the screen adaptation.
Why Deep Cuts matters to fans
Deep Cuts is an adaptation of the 2023 novel by Holly Brickley, a music-driven coming-of-age story set in the early 2000s. The book follows two college friends, Percy and Joe, as they navigate ambition, creative obsession and emotional intimacy through their shared passion for music. While the narrative centres on their evolving relationship, Zoe Gutierrez occupies a crucial place within the story’s emotional framework. In the novel, she is explicitly described as half Mexican and half Jewish — a background that shapes her perspective, relationships and sense of belonging within the group.
For many readers, that specificity is integral rather than incidental. Concerns emerged that altering or minimising Zoe’s cultural identity for the film adaptation would weaken the authenticity of the story and compromise one of the novel’s defining characteristics.
Online criticism and whitewashing claims
The backlash centred on accusations of whitewashing — a term used when characters from marginalised backgrounds are portrayed by actors who do not share that heritage, often accompanied by narrative changes. Although Odessa A’zion has spoken publicly about her Jewish heritage, critics argued that the role of Zoe Gutierrez should be played by a Latina actress, particularly given the character’s Mexican background.
Unverified screenshots circulated online suggesting the character might be rewritten for the film, further intensifying criticism. While these claims were not officially confirmed, they contributed to a perception that the adaptation might compromise the novel’s cultural detail.
How and when Odessa A’zion pulled out of Deep Cuts
Less than 48 hours after the casting news became public, Odessa A’zion confirmed on January 28, 2026, that she had pulled out of Deep Cuts, addressing the controversy directly through a series of Instagram Stories. In a candid and emotional message shared late on Wednesday evening, A’zion said she had closely followed fan reactions and agreed with concerns raised about casting and representation. She apologised to readers of the novel and accepted responsibility for agreeing to the role without fully understanding the character’s background. The actress revealed that she had not read the source material before accepting the part of Zoe Gutierrez. She explained that she originally auditioned for a different role and accepted the offer quickly when Zoe was proposed, without scrutinising the character’s cultural context.
“I hadn’t read the book and should have paid more attention,” A’zion wrote, adding that once she understood the full scope of the character, she no longer felt comfortable remaining attached to the project.
“I’m not doing this movie”
In one of the most widely shared passages from her statement, A’zion made her decision explicit and unequivocal. “I am with all of you and I am NOT doing this movie,” she wrote. “I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it.”
She added that there were “a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role” and stressed that she was not one of them, concluding that she looked forward to seeing who would ultimately be cast. The immediacy and tone of the response stood out in an industry where actors often defer to studio-led statements or issue carefully managed apologies through publicists.
The film’s cast and production plans
Before Odessa A’zion pulled out of A24 film Deep Cuts, the project had already assembled a high-profile creative team.
- Cailee Spaeny is set to play Percy, a music critic
- Drew Starkey will portray Joe, a songwriter and Percy’s love interest
The film is written and directed by Sean Durkin, whose previous credits include The Iron Claw and The Nest. Producers include Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie, with original music by Blake Mills. A24 is producing and financing the project. Filming was scheduled to begin in February 2026, placing immediate pressure on the production to resolve casting decisions ahead of principal photography.
Industry reaction and wider implications
The episode has prompted broader discussion across the film industry about adaptation ethics, casting accountability and the growing influence of online audiences.
While casting controversies are not uncommon, it remains relatively rare for an actor to voluntarily exit a project so close to production in direct response to public criticism. For some observers, A’zion’s decision reflects a shifting power dynamic, in which audiences increasingly expect transparency and cultural sensitivity from both studios and performers. Others have pointed to the incident as an example of the ongoing tension between creative interpretation and fidelity to source material, particularly when adapting contemporary novels with clearly defined cultural identities.
What A24 has said so far
As of January 29, 2026, A24 has not issued a public statement addressing Odessa A’zion pulling out of Deep Cuts, and has not confirmed whether the role of Zoe Gutierrez has been recast or rewritten.
Media reports, including BBC Newsbeat and US entertainment trades, indicate the production is still expected to begin filming in February 2026, but no updated schedule has been published and it remains unclear whether A’zion’s exit will affect the start date or prompt further casting changes. Studios typically avoid commenting during active casting or contract transitions, and there has been no official confirmation so far on who will replace A’zion in the supporting role.
A pivotal moment in Odessa A’zion’s career
The controversy has landed at a strategically important point in A’zion’s rise. She has recently drawn wider attention for her work on Marty Supreme, alongside Timothée Chalamet, and for her role in the HBO series I Love LA, positioning her as one of the most visible young actors moving into larger studio-backed projects.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, A’zion said she was looking to avoid “safe” parts and wanted to keep playing complex, unconventional characters — a comment that now reads as more than branding, given her decision to step away from Deep Cuts publicly and emphatically. The combination of a fast career upswing and a highly scrutinised casting decision has turned what might have been a routine recast into a wider conversation about representation, responsibility and the limits of “creative flexibility” when adapting contemporary novels.
What is known about Odessa A’zion pulling out of A24 film Deep Cuts suggests the production is likely to move forward with a new casting choice for Zoe Gutierrez ahead of February 2026 filming, while A’zion continues her momentum without clear signs of long-term professional fallout.
For A24, the episode underlines the heightened scrutiny facing literary adaptations in 2026: audiences increasingly expect not only strong storytelling, but visible cultural accountability in casting and character portrayal — especially when a book’s identity markers are explicit and central to how readers understand the character.
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