The upcoming film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone has been one of Paramount’s most anticipated fantasy releases, but just months before its theatrical debut, the author who created the franchise has publicly distanced herself from the project in dramatic fashion.
Author Tomi Adeyemi released a five-minute video alleging that working on the film adaptation became an ordeal so traumatic that she left the set “hyperventilating and sobbing,” later suffered panic attacks and severe physical symptoms, and now wants nothing more to do with the movie.
Her comments come after weeks of online speculation surrounding the production, deleted social media posts involving actress Amandla Stenberg, and previous statements that she would not even watch the finished film.
Tomi Adeyemi Says She Never Wants to Hear About the Film Again
In the emotional video, Adeyemi explained that she had remained silent for more than a year despite what she says happened behind the scenes.
“What I’m about to share is not a secret to the people involved,” she said. “It’s a reality that 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 this reality, and they haven’t done anything to make it better. If anything, they’ve only antagonized me.”
@tomi.adeyemi #childrenofbloodandbone ♬ original sound – tomi adeyemi
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According to Adeyemi, her breaking point came while visiting the production.
“I left that set of my own film adaptation, hyperventilating and sobbing,” she admitted. “I came back to America and suffered such severe somatic pain and so many panic attacks. I knew it was so bad that I would never ever be able to watch this film, and I made peace with that.”
The author said that while she had hoped to keep the situation private, the marketing campaign surrounding the film convinced her to speak publicly.
“As it is being marketed, and as I am still being antagonized behind the scenes, which is where I hoped all of this would stay, it’s become apparent to me that reality needs to at least be made known.”
Calls the Adaptation the Worst Experience of Her Life
Perhaps the most striking statement came when Adeyemi described what the adaptation ultimately became for her.
“This film, which I worked on to make it a little better for us to be alive, is also the worst thing I have ever had to live through,” she said, emphasizing that she does not intend to elaborate further or engage in public back-and-forth over the situation.
A screenshot from the Children of Blood and Bone trailer – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
“I never want to hear about this project again…I don’t have anything to say about the people who made it. I do not care anymore. I’m trying to move on.”
Notably, Adeyemi never identified who she believes was responsible for her experience.
Previous Controversy With Amandla Stenberg
The latest video follows another controversy from earlier this month.
Adeyemi briefly posted what appeared to be screenshots of a private conversation with The Acolyte actress Amandla Stenberg, who portrays Princess Amari in the film. In the messages, Adeyemi told the actress: “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.”
The posts were later deleted.
A text between Tomi Adeyami and Amandla Stenberg – Tomi Adeyami
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The dispute fueled additional speculation because Stenberg’s casting had already generated debate among some readers of the novels, with critics arguing that the casting reflected issues of colorism. Stenberg previously defended accepting the role, saying she carefully considered the conversation surrounding representation before joining the project.
Despite the online speculation, Adeyemi’s newest video does not explain whether the disagreement with Stenberg had anything to do with the experience she describes on set.
Paramount Has Not Responded
As of publication, Paramount Pictures, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, and representatives for Adeyemi had not publicly responded to the allegations detailed in the video.
A screenshot from the Children of Blood and Bone trailer – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
Because Adeyemi intentionally avoided naming individuals or describing specific incidents, many of the questions surrounding the production remain unanswered.
That uncertainty is likely to fuel even more speculation as Paramount continues marketing one of its biggest fantasy releases.
A Dark Cloud Over One of Paramount’s Biggest Releases
For years, Children of Blood and Bone has been positioned as a major fantasy franchise with blockbuster ambitions. Instead of celebrating the upcoming release, however, much of the conversation has shifted toward the author herself publicly rejecting the finished adaptation.
It is exceedingly rare to see the creator of a bestselling property describe their own adaptation as “the worst thing” they have ever endured or declare they never want to hear about it again before audiences have even seen the finished film.
A screenshot from the Children of Blood and Bone trailer – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
Until more details emerge, the biggest question surrounding Children of Blood and Bone may no longer be whether it succeeds at the box office, but what happened behind the scenes that led its own creator to so forcefully distance herself from the project.
What do you think happened on set between the Children of Blood and Bone author and the production team? Sound off and let us know!
