Full Breakdown
Tomi Adeyemi Cuts Ties with the *Children of Blood and Bone* Film Adaptation
7/10/2026, 3:27:03 PM
Core Event
Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi announced on TikTok that she is “officially separating” her name from the Paramount Pictures adaptation of her 2018 YA fantasy *Children of Blood and Bone*. She stated she has not seen the film and will not watch it, citing ongoing “hurt and attacked behind the scenes” as the reason for the break.
Background & Context
*Children of Blood and Bone* debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list in 2018 and launched Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy. Film rights were first sold to Fox 2000 in 2017, moved to Lucasfilm in 2020, and were acquired by Paramount in late 2021. Gina Prince-Bythewood, director of *The Woman King*, was attached as director and co-screenwriter in December 2023. The movie is slated for theatrical release on 15 January 2027.
Key Figures & Groups
- Tomi Adeyemi – author, executive producer, co-screenwriter.
- Amandla Stenberg – biracial actress cast as Princess Amari (the book’s “dark copper-skinned” heroine).
- Gina Prince-Bythewood – director and co-writer.
- Paramount Pictures – studio financing and distributing the film.
- Fans of the Legacy of Orïsha – a vocal community that has followed the adaptation’s development since its announcement.
Timeline
- 2018 – *Children of Blood and Bone* published.
- Late 2021 – Paramount acquires adaptation rights.
- December 2023 – Prince-Bythewood announced as director; Adeyemi to co-write.
- January 2025 – Lead cast announced, including Stenberg as Princess Amari.
- 28 February 2025 – Text exchange between Adeyemi and Stenberg; Adeyemi tells Stenberg “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.”
- 4 July 2026 – Adeyemi posts TikTok video stating she will not watch the film and is “laying down my sword.”
- 15 January 2027 – Planned theatrical release.
Official Statements & Responses
Adeyemi’s TikTok post included the message, “There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all.” She added, “I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it.” In response to fan comments, she wrote, “I do not mind anyone going to watch the film. I wrote this for us. I fought for us.” Paramount Pictures and Prince-Bythewood have not issued public comments to date.
Criticism & Opposition
Fans questioned Stenberg’s casting because the novel describes Princess Amari as having “dark copper skin,” while Stenberg is biracial and was perceived by some as lighter-skinned. The casting sparked accusations of colorism and prompted Stenberg to address the backlash in a now-deleted TikTok, stating, “I would never navigate my career blindly and ignorantly, not thinking about my skin tone or the space that I occupy.” The controversy intensified after the February 2025 messages were made public.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether Adeyemi remains credited as executive producer and co-screenwriter. Some articles state she “was set to” hold those roles, while others note it is “unclear whether she will continue in those roles as previously announced.” Additionally, the character Stenberg portrays is identified as Princess Amari in most reports, but a few outlets refer to her as Zélie Adebola, creating minor inconsistency in character naming.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all.” — Tomi Adeyemi, TikTok post
- “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.” — Tomi Adeyemi, text to Amandla Stenberg (Feb 2025)
- “I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it.” — Tomi Adeyemi, TikTok 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.” — Tomi Adeyemi, TikTok caption
- “I would never navigate my career blindly and ignorantly, not thinking about my skin tone or the space that I occupy.” — Amandla Stenberg, Instagram video (2025)
What’s Next
The film remains on schedule for its 15 January 2027 release. Paramount has not confirmed whether Adeyemi will retain her producer or writing credits, and no further public statements from the studio or Prince-Bythewood have been reported. Fans are encouraged to support the author by purchasing the trilogy from independent bookstores, as suggested in Adeyemi’s TikTok message.
