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Odessa A’zion was poised to star in the A24 feature film Deep Cuts, an indie drama that had quietly generated buzz for its music-forward storytelling. Cast in the lead role, A’zion, who is best known for her work on Grand Army, Hellraiser, and Marty Supreme, was positioned as the film’s public face. Unfortunately, she decided to back out of the film following casting controversy. Here’s what happened when fans expressed backlash over her taking the leading role.

Odessa A’zion says she’s ‘out’ after ‘Deep Cuts’ casting controversy

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Odessa A’zion was initially cast as Zoe Gutierrez in Deep Cuts, the forthcoming A24 adaptation of Holly Brickley’s 2025 novel. The casting decision quickly drew attention from book fans because of the character’s specific background. In the source material, Zoe is written as half-Mexican and half-Jewish. A’zion is Jewish but does not have Mexican heritage. The mismatch sparked online criticism centered on authenticity and representation.

A’zion later explained that she had originally auditioned for a different role. She accepted Zoe’s part without having read the novel. A’zion claimed that she only became fully aware of the character’s cultural identity after fans flagged the issue.

“Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie,” she posted to her Instagram Stories on Jan. 28, 2026. “F*** that. I’m OUT.”

“I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it. That SHOULD do it!” she continued after her explanation of attaining the role. “That’s not me. There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am NOT one of them. I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”

A’zion thanked her fans for calling the situation to her attention. While she adores the story and wanted to work with those involved in its production, she doesn’t want to take this acting opportunity over someone more fitting for the character.

Saoirse Ronan and Austin Butler reportedly dropped out of ‘Deep Cuts’ for unrelated reasons

Saoirse Ronan and Austin Butler were both attached to Deep Cuts in its earlier development phase. However, they exited the A24 adaptation before filming began, according to Variety.

Industry reports indicate the project’s production timeline shifted, making it difficult for both actors, each juggling multiple high-profile commitments, to remain involved. Ronan was already committed to an intensive 2026 filming schedule that includes Sam Mendes’s Beatles projects, while Butler had several major films in active development or production, including Miami Vice and Heat 2. Their departures prompted a recasting of the film’s leads, with Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey stepping in.

Some fans suspect that there was more going on behind the scenes aside from scheduling conflicts. “‘Scheduling conflicts’ almost always means ‘behind the scenes conflicts,'” a fan on Reddit wrote.

“Scheduling conflict is general PR speak, but often true,” another fan wrote. “Sometimes the actor wants to do the movie, the director wants the actor, and they just can’t get the money with that actor.”

Fans are divided on the fate of the film

Some fans are keeping a careful eye on the fate of Deep Cuts following Odessa A’zion’s departure. While many remain hopeful that the film will turn out well, others think the early casting shakeups are a bad omen.

“Sean Durkin has made nothing but excellent movies, so it probably will be good,” a fan on Reddit commented. “And actors drop out of movies all the time for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the project.”

We look forward to seeing the final product and hearing more about production for Deep Cuts, which is scheduled to begin in February 2026.

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