Children of Blood and Bone author Tomi Adeyemi is publicly distancing herself from Paramount’s upcoming adaptation of her own bestselling fantasy novel, and the controversy has now placed former The Acolyte actress Amandla Stenberg back in the spotlight.
Despite co-writing the screenplay alongside director Gina Prince-Bythewood and previously serving as an executive producer on the project, Adeyemi revealed that she has no plans to support or even watch the finished film.
However, the most explosive part of the fallout may involve Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the upcoming movie. Adeyemi shared a screenshot of a private exchange with the actress showing that their relationship has apparently deteriorated dramatically after Stenberg previously claimed the author personally supported her casting.
Tomi Adeyemi Says She Will Not Watch Her Own Adaptation
Adeyemi took to social media to explain why she has been silent regarding the upcoming Paramount film adaptation.
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“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all,” Adeyemi wrote.
She later elaborated, telling fans that her silence should not be interpreted as indifference.
“And lastly since someone asked – I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it,” Adeyemi said. “It’s been painful holding this back from you all… And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care about US. More than any glitter.”
@tomi.adeyemi ✨🐉 for everyone’s who’s been asking – i’m answering this question once and for all. #childrenofbloodandbone #tomiadeyemi #booktok #blackbooktok onwards.
The statement is especially surprising because Adeyemi was not an author who had simply sold the rights and watched Hollywood take over. She was directly involved with the project, which makes her decision to walk away even more notable.
Adeyemi previously celebrated the adaptation publicly, posted behind-the-scenes content from production, and reportedly even filmed a cameo appearance for the movie.
Tomi Adeyemi Blocks Amandla Stenberg After Actress Claimed Author Supported Her Casting
The controversy became even more heated when Adeyemi revealed an apparent February 2025 text exchange with Amandla Stenberg.
The exchange reportedly occurred around the same time Stenberg posted a now-deleted TikTok responding to criticism over her casting as Princess Amari.
In that video, Stenberg reportedly pushed back against criticism by saying Adeyemi herself supported her taking on the role.
But the author’s later message to Stenberg suggested a major falling out had occurred.
A text between Tomi Adeyami and Amandla Stenberg – Tomi Adeyami
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“My only hope was to reconnect as human beings,” Stenberg reportedly wrote.
Adeyemi’s response was direct.
“Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.”
The screenshot then appeared to show that Adeyemi blocked Stenberg.
Amandla Stenberg’s Children of Blood and Bone Casting Sparked Debate Among Fans
Before the fallout with Tomi Adeyemi became public, casting Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari had already created debate among fans of Children of Blood and Bone.
Some readers criticized the decision, arguing that the casting did not accurately reflect the descriptions and themes of Adeyemi’s original novel. The debate centered on colorism in Hollywood, with some fans claiming the industry frequently casts lighter-skinned or biracial actresses in roles they believe were intended to represent darker-skinned Black women.
Stenberg, whose mother is Black and whose father is White, addressed the criticism in the now-deleted TikTok video where she invoked Adeyami’s name. The actress defended her involvement in the project and pointed to Adeyemi’s support as evidence that she belonged in the role.
Amandla Stenberg Previously Claimed Her Hunger Games Backlash Inspired Children of Blood and Bone
The apparent collapse of the relationship is particularly shocking given how warmly Stenberg previously described her first meeting with Adeyemi.
Speaking to Blavity, Stenberg said the author told her that seeing the reaction she received after being cast as Rue in The Hunger Games helped inspire the creation of Children of Blood and Bone.
Mae Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
“[Tomi] goes, ‘Amandla, I want you to know that when you were a little girl and were cast as Rue in The Hunger Games, and you had these racist remarks thrown at you because people said that Rue’s death wouldn’t be as sad because you’re a Black girl…’” Stenberg recalled. “‘That inspired me to write this series, so that Black girls like you and Black girls of all shades could have a story written about them.’”
Stenberg said the emotional moment convinced her she belonged in the adaptation.
“We just started crying, and I said to myself, ‘God wants me here!’” she recalled.
That makes Adeyemi’s decision to publicly tell Stenberg not to use her name again a significant reversal.
Amandla Stenberg Faces New Controversy After The Acolyte Backlash
The controversy arrives after Stenberg became one of the most divisive names in modern Star Wars following Disney’s The Acolyte.
The series was heavily criticized by many fans over its writing, creative choices, and changes to established Star Wars lore.
Stenberg responded to the backlash by releasing a music video titled “Discourse,” which addressed the criticism surrounding the show.
Amandla Stenberg in her Diss Track Discourse, aimed at Star Wars fans during The Acolyte – YouTube, FlareHazard
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The actress said the song was originally written years earlier, but she released it during The Acolyte controversy and used it to push back against what she described as racism and hostility directed toward the series.
Rather than cooling tensions, the video became another flashpoint between Stenberg and frustrated Star Wars fans.
Disney ultimately canceled The Acolyte after one season.
Now, Stenberg’s next major franchise project has become engulfed in controversy before it even reaches theaters.
Paramount’s Potential Fantasy Franchise Faces Unexpected Turmoil
Children of Blood and Bone was intended to launch a major fantasy franchise for Paramount.
The film features a high-profile cast including Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Lashana Lynch, and Stenberg.
But before audiences have seen a single frame of the finished movie, the creator of the original story has already publicly removed her support.
(L-R): Osha Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg) and the Stranger in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
Author disagreements with Hollywood adaptations are nothing new, but it’s far less common for someone who was involved with the screenplay, appeared on set, and originally championed the project to walk away before release.
For Paramount, the conversation surrounding Children of Blood and Bone has suddenly shifted away from launching a new fantasy universe and toward one question:
What happened behind the scenes that caused Tomi Adeyemi to completely cut ties with her own creation and block Amandla Stenberg?
How do you feel about the exchange between Tomi Adeyemi and Amandla Stenberg? Sound off and let us know!
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