Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi has publicly distanced herself from Paramount Pictures’ upcoming adaptation of her bestselling novel, Children of Blood and Bone, alleging she was repeatedly antagonised behind the scenes during production.
The comments come months before the film’s worldwide release and despite growing anticipation surrounding the adaptation, which features an ensemble cast including Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Regina King, Damson Idris, Thuso Mbedu, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Nigerian music star Ayra Starr.
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Adeyemi, who wrote the bestselling novel and co-wrote the screenplay for the adaptation, described the project as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through,” saying she left the film’s set “hyperventilating and sobbing” and has no intention of watching or promoting it.
The 32-year-old made the remarks in a five-minute TikTok video posted on Wednesday, alleging that senior figures involved in the production had repeatedly “antagonised” her for more than a year.
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The adaptation has been one of Hollywood’s most anticipated fantasy films since Paramount Pictures acquired the rights, with production taking place across Nigeria and South Africa and drawing global attention for its star-studded cast and Yoruba-inspired story.
Representation, colourism
Published in March 2018, Children of Blood and Bone became an international literary sensation. Inspired by Yoruba mythology and West African culture. The novel follows Zélie Adebola, a young diviner on a quest to restore magic to the fictional kingdom of Orïsha after a tyrannical monarchy eradicates magic.
The novel debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times Young Adult Bestseller list and launched Adeyemi’s bestselling Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.
Long before Adeyemi’s latest revelations, the film adaptation had already generated debate among Nigerian audiences. Following Paramount Pictures’ casting announcements, some critics questioned the casting choices for several lead actors in a story deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, arguing that more indigenous Nigerian actors could have been cast. The debate also fuelled wider conversations about cultural representation and colourism.
Although the production later added Nigerian actors such as Richard Mofe-Damijo and singer Ayra Starr, discussions about representation persisted as anticipation for the film grew.
‘Hyperventilating, sobbing’
Against that backdrop, Adeyemi took to TikTok on Wednesday to explain why she had chosen to distance herself from the adaptation, which has been in development for more than eight years since the film rights were first optioned in 2017.
“What I’m about to share is not a secret to the people involved. It’s a reality I’ve had to live with for about a year and a half, and everyone involved, at least at the highest level, has been made aware of it, yet they haven’t done anything to improve it. If anything, they’ve only antagonised me.
@tomi.adeyemi
“But I also accept if I don’t say something, I think it’s just going to be worse,” the 2018 Andre Norton Award recipient said.
Adeyemi said she had previously accepted that she would never watch the film because of the emotional toll the production had taken on her.
“I’m not going to speak on what I endured to make it through the young adult trilogy, and I’m not going to speak about everything that I also suffered through or endured to adapt a reality. I’m actually only going to speak about what happened after I left that set of my own film adaptation, hyperventilating and sobbing.
“There are many witnesses, so it’s not really a secret. I came back to America and suffered from such severe somatic pain and so many panic attacks. I knew it was so bad that I would never be able to watch this film, and I made peace with that,” she said.
Authors typically help promote film adaptations of their work ahead of release. Adeyemi’s decision to publicly distance herself from the project months before its cinema debut marks an unusual break from that convention.
‘Antagonised behind the scenes’
Referring to the release of the film’s promotional campaign, including its first trailer, Adeyemi said the renewed publicity compelled her to speak publicly.
However, she stopped short of identifying those she said antagonised her or providing details of what allegedly occurred during production.
“As it is being marketed, and as I am still being antagonised behind the scenes, which is where I hoped all of this would stay, it’s become apparent to me that reality needs to be at least made known. So you guys can understand how this film, which I worked on to make it a little better for us to live, is also the worst thing I have ever had to live through.
“I don’t wish to speak on it anymore. I don’t know if that’s possible. I understand that I have a public presence and that this is a global project. I don’t have anything to say about the people who made it. I do not care anymore. I’m trying to move on.
“So please understand, I never want to hear about this project again,” she said.
Representatives for Adeyemi, Paramount Pictures and the film’s director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
READ ALSO: ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ offers first glimpse ahead of 2027 release (PHOTOS)
Earlier tensions
Earlier this month, Adeyemi also appeared to signal a breakdown in her relationship with actress Amandla Stenberg after posting, and later deleting, screenshots of what appeared to be a private group chat.
In the messages, the author reportedly wrote: “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me,” before apparently blocking the actress.
Stenberg had previously faced criticism from some fans following her casting as Princess Amari, with sections of the online community raising concerns about colourism and representation in a story deeply rooted in Yoruba culture.
The actress later defended her casting in a TikTok video, saying she carefully considered the role and would “never go after a role I didn’t feel was right” for her while expressing support for greater representation of all skin tones in the entertainment industry.
Despite speculation, Adeyemi has not confirmed whether her grievances are connected to Stenberg or to any specific incident during filming.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Children of Blood and Bone is scheduled for release in cinemas and IMAX on 15 January 2027. The film was shot across Nigeria and South Africa and is expected to be one of the biggest Hollywood fantasy releases of the year.
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