Tomi Adeyemi has publicly disavowed Paramount Pictures’ forthcoming film adaptation of her bestselling 2018 novel Children of Blood and Bone, revealing she will not watch the movie and is “officially separating my name” from the project amid what she described as ongoing hurt suffered “behind the scenes,” per hollywoodreporter.com.
Adeyemi addressed fans in a TikTok video posted on July 4, explaining her silence on the film, which is scheduled for release on January 15, 2027.
The author, who serves as an executive producer and shares screenplay credit with director Gina Prince-Bythewood, said she had been “holding this back” from supporters.
The video included a screenshot of a February 2025 message sent to actress Amandla Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari, instructing her: “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.” The image indicated Adeyemi had blocked Stenberg. The message was sent around the time Stenberg posted a since-deleted TikTok video responding to colourism backlash over her casting, in which she claimed Adeyemi had supported her selection.
Adeyemi told fans she does not object to audiences watching the film. “I wrote this for us. I fought for us,” she wrote in a comment. “I’m just laying down my sword and officially separating my name because I can’t keep being hurt and attacked behind the scenes.”
The adaptation stars Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Stenberg, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Viola Davis. Prince-Bythewood and several cast members debuted footage at CinemaCon earlier this year. Paramount acquired the property in late 2021 after it went into turnaround at Lucasfilm, where Adeyemi’s request to write the script had reportedly been denied.
Children of Blood and Bone, the first instalment in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, is set in an African fantasy kingdom and follows a young woman’s quest to restore magic stolen from her people. The novel has sold millions of copies worldwide and was hailed as a landmark work in young adult fantasy.
•Featured image: Tomi Adeyemi/Marla Aufmuth/Getty Images