A24 has acquired the film rights to the adaptation of the 2025 novel Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley.  Fresh off of Marty Supreme, Odessa A’Zion was originally cast in the project as mixed race character Zoe Gutierrez, but was instantly met with whitewashing backlash and quickly exited the project.  

In the book, Gutierrez is of half Mexican and half Jewish descent.  Ariela Barer is now set to take on the role, joining a cast that already includes Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey.  Barer voiced her excitement for the project on her Instagram, also taking the time to shout out the integrity and benevolence of A’Zion. A’Zion exited the project just two weeks ago, apologizing and emphasizing that she had not read the book and was unaware of Gutierrez’s background.  

“Thank you guys for bringing this to my attention… I’m so sorry that this happened. I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I’m so pissed y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting…and now that I know what I know? F**k that. I’m out.”

The controversy sparked the writing of an open letter, calling for Hollywood to acknowledge the lack of Latino voices across the entertainment industry.  The open letter was signed by north of 100 people with a hand in the industry, according to the Hollywood Reporter.  Signees included: Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, and Xochitl Gomez.

“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.”

The synopsis for Deep Cuts reads as follows, “A love story about two music-obsessed twenty-somethings navigating the messy realities of ambition, belonging and adulthood over the course of an era-defining decade.”  Sean Durkin is attached to the project as director, producer, and writer, most recently coming off of directing 2023’s The Iron Claw.  Other producers include Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, and Jordan Tappis.  With music obviously set to play a major role in the film, Grammy winner Blake Mills is set to be the creator of original music for the film.  

While it is still early days for the film, stay tuned to MXDWN for any updates.