‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Author Says She ‘Will Not Watch’ the Film

Fans of Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling fantasy trilogy have noticed the author's conspicuous silence around the upcoming film adaptation of her work. Now she's explaining why — and it involves a falling-out with one of the movie's stars.

Tomi Adeyemi is publicly distancing herself from Paramount Pictures' upcoming feature adaptation of her YA novel, "Children of Blood and Bone."

Tomi Adeyemi attends as InStyle and Lancôme celebrate Lancôme's New Global Brand Ambassadresses with a star-studded cocktail party at Park Lane Hotel on January 10, 2024 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

The author took to social media to address fans who may have wondered why she hasn't recently promoted the film.

In a TikTok video posted Saturday, July 4, Adeyemi shared a screenshot of a message she'd sent to unidentified recipients that read, "There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That's all."

She followed with, "From this point on, if you want to support me, you can purchase any edition of the trilogy at a local independent children's bookstore (Books of Wonder, NYC)."

Tomi Adeyemi attends the "Origin" New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall on November 30, 2023 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

The video also featured a screenshot of an apparent message Adeyemi sent to Amandla Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the film.

The message read, "Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me." That same image showed Adeyemi had blocked the actress after sending the text.

Based on the timestamp visible in the screenshot, the message was sent in late February 2025 — around the same time Stenberg posted a TikTok responding to backlash accusing her of "stealing roles from dark-skinned women," after fans pointed out that the character is described in the book as having "dark copper skin."

Tomi Adeyemi attends the Fourth Annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala held at Paramount Pictures Studios on February 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

That post has since been deleted. Adeyemi's TikTok also included another screenshot of messages sent to unidentified recipients, in which she wrote, "And lastly, since someone asked, I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it."

"It's been painful holding this back from you all," she continued, adding, "And I'm sorry if any of you thought I didn't care. I will always care about US. More than any glitter."

Tomi Adeyemi attends the 2024 GEANCO Hollywood Gala at 1 Hotel West Hollywood on December 6 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

When one fan commented on the TikTok expressing sadness over the post, Adeyemi responded directly:

Adeyemi released the first book in her trilogy, "Children of Blood and Bone," in 2018, followed by "Children of Virtue and Vengeance" in 2019 and "Children of Anguish and Anarchy" in 2024.

The first novel unfolds in an African fantasy kingdom, following a young woman — played in the film by Thuso Mbedu — on a quest to reclaim magic violently stripped from her people.

Alongside her brother, played by Tosin Cole, she joins forces with the king's son and daughter to rise up against his brutal reign.

Tomi Adeyemi speaks at Spotlight on Tomi Adeyemi during New York Comic Con 2024 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 19. | Source: Getty Images

After moving between studios, the project eventually landed at Paramount Pictures. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the highly anticipated adaptation is set for a theatrical IMAX release on January 15, 2027.

Damson Idris, Thuso Mbedu, and Amandla Stenberg promote the upcoming film "Children of Blood and Bone" at the Paramount Pictures presentation at The Dolby Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, on April 16, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

The cast also includes Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, and Viola Davis, among others.

Prince-Bythewood appeared alongside cast members Stenberg, Mbedu, Idris, Ejiofor, and King at CinemaCon earlier this year to unveil the film's first footage.

The "Woman King" director told the crowd, "I'm honored to bring this incredible best-selling fantasy book to life."