Matthew Rudoy is one of ScreenRant's Movie & TV News Editors. He covers the latest in movie & TV news, with a focus on major franchises like Star Wars, The Boys, and Game of Thrones, and also writes some features and reviews. He wrote lists for ScreenRant from 2017-2022, became a news writer in 2023, a senior staff writer in 2024, and an editor in 2025. 

A new report clarifies why author Tomi Adeyemi is not supporting Paramount's Children of Blood and Bone adaptation.

She is the author of the bestselling fantasy novel that went through multiple studios and iterations before landing at Paramount, with Gina Prince-Bythewood directing, in addition to co-writing the screenplay with Adeyemi. Despite this involvement, the author later made it clear that she does not support the film adaptation of her source material, and posted a screenshot of a conversation with actor Amandla Stenberg in which Adeyemi said, “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.”

Now, a report from Vanity Fair sheds further light on why Adeyemi is no longer supporting the Children of Blood and Bone movie. She did not publicly respond to Stenberg's video defending being cast as Princess Amari, but this is reportedly when the disagreements between the author and the film's team began to escalate. Per a source connected to the movie, Adeyemi came to set to film a scene two days after Stenberg's post, and the tension between the writer and actor was "palpable."

At the time, Adeyemi was still publicly being positive about the adaptation, but allegedly told those heavily involved with the movie that she would distance herself from the project. A book-to-film insider also shared that “There must be something [going on] because she’s burned every bridge.” This comes after changing agencies multiple times, moving to WME and then CAA after an initial deal with ICM. She's still at CAA, although she is no longer working with her most recent manager at Untitled Entertainment.

With an incredibly dedicated fan community known as Tominators, her open support would have gone a long way, but now it remains to be seen how her opposition will affect the box office and overall reception of the film. As explained by a Hollywood insider, “It’s so sad because she has the platform that basically nobody else has at this point." A source involved with the movie disclosed that Adeyemi was given the opportunity to see the completed movie last spring, but she has still not seen it.

Stenberg's casting as Princess Amari received criticism due to colorism, although insiders claim that Adeyemi was part of the casting process and both excited and supported by the star's initial casting.

In addition to Stenberg, the Children of Blood and Bone cast includes Thuso Mbedu as Zélie, Damson Idris as Prince Inan, Tosin Cole as Tzain, Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea, Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran, Regina King as Queen Nehanda, Idris Elba as Lekan, and Viola Davis as Mama Agba. Adeyemi has a cameo during a scene when Mama Agba is training Zélie, which is what was being filmed when the author came to set soon after Stenberg's video.

Between the popularity of the 2018 novel, the star-studded cast, and a film adaptation finally becoming a reality, anticipation remains high for Paramount's Children of Blood and Bone despite Adeyemi's issues with it. The book is also only the first of a trilogy, meaning that if it becomes a commercial and critical hit, the newest fantasy movie franchise is likely to follow.

Children of Blood and Bone releases in theaters on January 15, 2027.

Release Date January 15, 2027

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood

Writers Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tomi Adeyemi

Producers Reggie Rock Bythewood, Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt, Marty Bowen