Sample Page

Deep Cuts is an upcoming American romantic drama film written and directed by Sean Durkin, adapted from the novel of the same name by Holly Brickley.

Cast

Production

It was announced in February 2025 that Sean Durkin had been set to write and direct the film, with Saoirse Ronan and Austin Butler cast to star. Ronan will also serve as a producer.[2] By December, Ronan and Butler had to exit due to scheduling conflicts, with Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey cast to replace them. Musician Blake Mills was also brought on to create music for the film. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in February 2026.[3] In January 2026, Odessa A’zion joined the cast.[4] A’zion exited the film three days later after social media users noted that her character was half-Mexican in Brickley’s novel; A’zion claimed that she was unaware of this when accepting the role.[5] Actors including Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, Xochitl Gomez, Jessica Alba, Danny Ramirez, Isabela Merced, Diego Boneta, Ismael Cruz Córdova and Michael Peña signed an open letter in response to the controversy, condemning the continued practice of whitewashing Latina characters in film.[6] Writer Gloria Calderón Kellett, also a signatory to the open letter, wrote a column on Deadline Hollywood reflecting on the situation as part of a boarder issue around Latino representation in media.[7] Ariela Barer, who is of both Mexican and Jewish heritage, would be cast in the role the following month.[8] In March, Abubakr Ali, Quintessa Swindell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Gaby Hoffmann were added to the cast.[9]

Principal production was underway by March 2026, with some filming occurring at Amoeba Music in San Francisco, California.[10]

References

  1. ^ Matyas Erdely, ASC, HCA
  2. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 27, 2025). “Saoirse Ronan And Austin Butler To Star In Feature Adaptation of ‘Deep Cuts’ For A24 And Sean Durkin; Ronan Also Producing”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  3. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 3, 2025). “Cailee Spaeny And Drew Starkey To Star In ‘Deep Cuts’ Adaptation At A24”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  4. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (January 26, 2026). “Odessa A’zion to Star in Sean Durkin’s ‘Deep Cuts’ at A24 | Exclusive”. TheWrap. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  5. ^ Ray, Alyssa (January 28, 2026). “Odessa A’zion Shares She’s Pulling Out of Sean Durkin’s ‘Deep Cuts’ After Whitewashing Accusations: ‘I’m Out’. The Wrap. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  6. ^ Gomez, Dessi (January 29, 2026). “Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo & Xochitl Gomez Among 100-Plus Latino Artists To Sign Open Letter To Hollywood Following ‘Deep Cuts’ Casting Backlash”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  7. ^ Calderon Kellett, Gloria (January 29, 2026). “The Latino Waiting Game: When One Role Means Everything – Guest Column”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  8. ^ Cordero, Rosy (February 10, 2026). “Ariela Barer To Star In A24’s ‘Deep Cuts’ In Recasting Of Odessa A’Zion”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  9. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 23, 2026). “Abubakr Ali, Quintessa Swindell, Jennifer Jason Leigh & Gaby Hoffmann Join Sean Durkin’s ‘Deep Cuts’ At A24”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  10. ^ Yet another Hollywood movie is filming in San Francisco right now