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Tomi Adeyemi shares her feelings about Paramount Pictures’ upcoming film adaptation of her YA novel Children of blood and bones.
The author took to social media to address any fans of her work who may have wondered why she hasn’t been promoting the film version recently, which hits theaters on January 15, 2027. Adapting Adeyemi’s best-selling 2018 debut novel, the film stars director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Viola Davis. Adeyemi serves as executive producer and is credited with writing the script with Prince-Bythewood.
In a TikTok video she posted on Saturday, Adeyemi included a screenshot of her message to anonymous recipients saying: “There’s a reason I don’t post anything about editing my work. That’s all.”
The video also included a screenshot of an explicit message she sent to Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the film. “Don’t ever use my name in an interview or video again. Don’t message me. Don’t call me,” Adeyemi’s message read. The photo indicates that Adeyemi has blocked the actress known for her roles Hunger Games and The hate you give.
According to the timestamp from the screenshot, the writer sent her message in February 2025. This was around the time Stenberg posted a video on TikTok in which she responded to the colorism-related backlash surrounding her role and said Adeyemi supported her choice. This post has since been deleted.
Adeyemi’s post on Saturday included another screenshot of messages to anonymous recipients, with the author writing: “Since someone asked, I haven’t watched the movie, and won’t watch it.” “It’s been painful having to keep this from all of you,” she continued.
She added: “And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care. I will always care about America. More than any glamor.”
When a fan posted comments on TikTok about how sad she felt about her post, the author responded: “I don’t mind anyone seeing the movie. I wrote this for us. I fought for us. I’m just laying down my sword and officially severing my name because I can’t keep getting hurt and attacked behind the scenes.”
As Adeyemi’s first novel Orisha heritage triple, Children of blood and bones The film is set in a fantasy African kingdom, where a young woman (Mbido) seeks to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother Cole team up with the king’s daughter and son to fight against his brutal rule.
Prince-Bythewood accompanied cast members Stenberg, Mbidu, Idris, Ejiofor and King to CinemaCon earlier this year to show the first footage from the film. Children of blood and bones. the The king’s woman “I am honored to bring this amazing best-selling fantasy book to life,” the director told the audience.
