“Marty Supreme” breakout star Odessa Azion announced on her Instagram Story Wednesday night that she is leaving the A24 production of “Deep Cuts,” directed by Sean Durkin, following online backlash over her casting, which was announced on Monday.
“Guys! I’m with you all and I’m not doing this movie. Let me be clear,” Azion wrote on his Instagram Story on Wednesday.
In Holly Brickley’s popular 2025 novel, the character Zoe Gutierrez is of Mexican descent and Jewish. The character is the best friend of music critic Percy, played by Cailee Spaeny, and the ex-girlfriend of Percy’s lover, Joe, played by Drew Starkey.
“I’m so sorry this happened. I nominated Percy, but was offered Zoe instead, and I immediately said yes! You guys are so pissed. I didn’t read the book, and I should have paid attention to every aspect of Zoe before accepting… And now you know what I know? Damn it, I’m out!” Dudgeon continued.
“I’m not going to take a role from someone else who’s supposed to do it. It could be done! That’s not me. There are a lot of people more than capable of playing this role, but I’m not one of them. I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”
Austin Butler and Saoirse Ronan were originally scheduled to star in the music-driven romance, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
The film is produced by Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie, with Durkin also producing alongside Anthony Katagas, Jordan Tapis, and A24. Brickley will serve as executive producer.
Representatives for Dudgeon and A24 did not immediately respond to Variety’s requests for comment.
