The Austin Butler Deep Cuts project has seen significant casting changes, with Butler and Saoirse Ronan withdrawing from director Sean Durkin’s upcoming film for A24 due to conflicting schedules. In their place, Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey will now headline the screen adaptation of Holly Brickley’s recent novel, with production scheduled to begin in February 2026.
New Leads Announced After Stars Depart Due to Scheduling Conflicts
Originally, the Austin Butler Deep Cuts project was set to reunite Butler and Ronan under Durkin’s direction, following extensive buzz surrounding the announcement earlier this year. However, both actors have left the film, with reports attributing their exit to packed filming schedules through 2026. Ronan is committed to Sam Mendes’ ambitious series of four Beatles-themed movies, which will occupy her throughout the next year. Meanwhile, Butler is involved with multiple productions, including new projects such as Miami Vice, Heat 2, City On Fire, and American Speed, which are also anticipated to start shooting in 2026.
Spaeny and Starkey to Take on the Central Roles
Deadline has confirmed that Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey will assume the central characters in Deep Cuts. Both actors bring previous A24 experience, making them suitable successors. Spaeny has previously worked with the distributor on the critically acclaimed Civil War and the Priscilla biopic, while Starkey’s A24 credentials include a role in last year’s Queer. Their upcoming projects demonstrate their rising star status: Starkey will appear in Onslaught and King Snake, while Spaeny is attached to Netflix’s Beef season two, the Alien: Romulus sequel, and will feature in Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man, which opens in theaters and premieres on Netflix this month.
Story and Creative Team for Deep Cuts
Deep Cuts is based on Holly Brickley’s debut novel of the same name, released earlier in the year. Set during the early 2000s, the film follows two young adults, deeply passionate about music, as they navigate the trials of ambition, searching for belonging, and the often complicated realities of adulthood over what has been described as a decade that defined a generation. The official synopsis describes it as
“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.”
– Holly Brickley, Executive Producer
Behind the scenes, the production team features veteran names from the industry. Eli Bush, Ronald Bronsten, and Josh Safdie will produce, with Sean Durkin also serving as a producer alongside Anthony Katagas and Jordan Tappis for A24. Holly Brickley, the original novelist, is on board as an executive producer, providing creative insight as her story moves to the screen. The film’s music will be crafted by Blake Mills, known for his award-winning work as a singer-songwriter and producer, ensuring an authentic soundtrack to match the film’s focus on musical passion.
Sean Durkin’s Return to A24 and Creative Trajectory
Deep Cuts marks another collaboration between Sean Durkin and distributor A24. Durkin’s last project with the company, The Iron Claw, enjoyed a notable awards season following its release two years ago. His filmography also includes Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011 and The Nest in 2020, both of which have been praised for their character-driven storytelling and atmospheric direction. With Durkin now set to direct Deep Cuts, expectations are high that the film will continue his record of delivering nuanced, compelling dramas within the independent studio landscape.
What Lies Ahead for Deep Cuts
With production on Deep Cuts planned for February 2026, there is ample time for the new cast and creative team to shape the adaptation. The combination of a strong production team, emerging talent in the lead roles, and a contemporary narrative focused on music and youth culture signal a film that could resonate with audiences and critics alike. Both A24’s established reputation for supporting bold vision and Sean Durkin’s successful track record further heighten anticipation for the Austin Butler Deep Cuts project, even with its original stars stepping aside. As more casting and production news emerges, attention will remain fixed on how Spaeny, Starkey, and the rest of the team will bring Brickley’s story to life for a new era.
