Tomi Adeyemi, the Nigerian-American author of the bestselling YA fantasy novel Children of Blood and Bone, has publicly distanced herself from the upcoming film adaptation of her book. In group chat messages shared on TikTok, Adeyemi stated: “There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work.”
Film Details and Cast
The Paramount adaptation, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), is scheduled for release on 15 January 2027. The star-studded cast includes Amandla Stenberg, Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Viola Davis.
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
Adeyemi’s TikTok post also appeared to include messages sent to Stenberg in February 2025, reading: “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.” These messages reportedly coincided with Stenberg’s response to a colorism backlash regarding her casting as Princess Amari, a character described in the book as having “dark copper skin.” Stenberg, who is biracial, addressed the “perception of me that I steal roles from dark-skinned women” in a now-deleted TikTok, noting that Amari’s skin tone is lighter than other characters’ “darker chestnut and mahogany hues.”
Adeyemi’s Statement
“I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it,” Adeyemi added on TikTok. “It’s been painful holding this back from you all … And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care about US. More than any glitter.” She also co-wrote the film with Prince-Bythewood.
Children of Blood and Bone, the first book in the Legacy of Orïsha series, debuted at number one on the New York Times Young Adult bestsellers list in 2018 and earned Adeyemi a spot on Forbes’s 30 Under 30 list. In a previous interview with the Guardian, Adeyemi said the book was driven by “the desire to write for black teenage girls growing up reading books they were absent from.”
Replying to a fan, Adeyemi wrote: “I do not mind anyone going to watch the film. I wrote this for us. I fought for us. 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 Guardian has contacted Paramount and Prince-Bythewood for comment.
