Ariela Barer has replaced “Marty Supreme” breakout Odessa A’Zion in the upcoming drama “Deep Cuts” following the latter’s exit amid allegations of whitewashing.
Barer, 27, who recently appeared on three episodes of HBO’s hit “The Last of Us,” will star as friend and ex Zoe Gutierrez in A24’s Sean Durkin-helmed adaptation of Holly Brickley’s debut novel, Variety reports.
Brickley wrote Zoe as half-Jewish and half-Mexican, and Barer is both Jewish and Mexican American. BAFTA nominee A’Zion, 25, is Jewish but has no Mexican origins.
Late last month, A’Zion announced she’d originally gone in for the role of Percy, “but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes!” She admitted she “hadn’t read the book and should have paid attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting” the role.
“Now that I know what I know? F–k that. I’m out!” continued A’Zion, daughter of Emmy winner Pamela Adlon.
Barer, also known for co-writing and starring in “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” gave a “genuine major shoutout” to A’Zion on Tuesday via Instagram, “for always leading with integrity.”
A’Zion said she “stand[s] by [her] decision” to drop out of the film, and is “so happy this is the outcome.”
In Brickley’s romance novel, which hit shelves last February, Zoe is the friend of Percy and ex of Percy’s love interest, Joe, who will be played by Drew Starkey.
