Actress Odessa A’zion Withdraws from ‘Deep Cuts’ Following Casting Concerns

Actress Odessa A’zion has withdrawn from A24’s upcoming film ‘Deep Cuts’ after facing criticism over her casting as Zoe Gutierrez. The film is an adaptation of Holly Brickley’s novel, set in the early 2000s, which explores a romantic relationship between college friends Percy and Joe. Fans expressed disapproval because Zoe is described in the book as having Mexican and Jewish heritage, while A’zion, who is Jewish, does not have Latin American heritage. A’zion admitted she had not read the novel before accepting the role and acknowledged that she should have paid more attention to the character’s background. She clarified on Instagram that she auditioned for the role of Percy but was ultimately cast as Zoe, and she stated she could not continue knowing more about the character now. The actress emphasized that she did not want to take a role intended for someone else and praised the book’s story. A’zion is recognized for her roles in the Oscar-nominated ‘Marty Supreme’ with Timothée Chalamet and the HBO series ‘I Love LA,’ and she is currently nominated for a supporting actress award. Filming for ‘Deep Cuts’ is scheduled to begin next month, and A24 has been asked for comment.