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Problems at A24 on their new project – Deep Cuts. Within days of being cast in the Sean Durkin adaptation of Holly Brickley’s novel, actress Odessa A’zion (Marty Supreme) has quit.
The reason? A casting backlash. The problem is that A’zion had signed on to play Zoe Gutierrez, a half-Mexican/half-Jewish character. A’zion is Jewish, but not Mexican, so this was called out as whitewashing.
As a result of the backlash. A’zion announced her withdrawal on social media. She went in to read for the female lead role of Percy, but was then offered Zoe, to which she said yes:
“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? Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. F–k that. I’m OUT. 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. I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”
Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey are playing the lead roles in the story, which follows two music-obsessed twenty-somethings as they navigate romance, ambition, and adulthood. Sounds like something as insufferable as St Elmo’s Fire.
As all this has shaken out, Deadline has reported that over 100 Latino actors, artists, and writers have signed an open letter to Hollywood calling to increase the presence of Latino voices in the early stages of development:
“We acknowledge and commend Odessa A’zion for listening, reflecting and deciding to exit the project and become an ally. Yet how did this happen?
The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture.
This is not about any one actor or project. It is about a system that repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino talent even as our identities, histories, and experiences fuel the most enduring stories.”
Names on the letter include John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba, Michael Pena, Isabela Merced, Xochitl Gomez, Melissa Barrera,Danny Ramirez, Brandon Perea, Michael Cimino, Melissa Fumero, and David Castenada.
Remember this next time somebody calls for a black James Bond.
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