The film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone has been fraught with controversy, with more details coming to light. Following the release of its trailer, author Tomi Adeyemi publicly disowned the film, prompting fans to question why she did so after production had finished. Now, a new report has shed light on what issues may have plagued the film.
A new story in Vanity Fair has broken down the film’s journey from page to screen. According to the report, the crux of Adeyemi’s beef with the film appears to be her relationship with Amandla Stenberg. The actress was cast as Princess Amari in the film, and fans noted she appears to be lighter-skinned than expected, compared to the character in the book. Following the casting, Stenberg publicly said that Adeyemi supported her casting.
“Tomi is our executive producer and writer now, and I know that’s what she wants to see,” Stenberg wrote before filming began. “She wants to see a world on screen that is vibrant with different skin tones and different shades.”
This appears to be where Adeyemi drew the line. In a screenshot revealed later by the author, she had texted and asked Stenberg not to “ever use my name in an interview or video again.”
After Stenberg released her statements about Adeyemi’s support, their relationship reportedly started to strain. Adeyemi reportedly arrived on set to film a cameo shortly after. However, the tensions between her and Stenberg made the situation difficult to navigate, according to sources.
What did Tomi Adeyemi previously say about the Children of Blood and Bone movie?
Adeyemi spoke out against the film earlier this May, disowning it on social media and saying she has “not seen the film, and I will not watch it.” She added, “There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all. 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.”
Following the trailer’s release in July, Adeyemi took to social media to reveal that her experience was “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.” She added, “I never want to hear about this project again.” She had already refrained from participating in the film’s promotions by this point. In her latest social media post, she alleged that her experience included being “antagonized behind the scenes.”
Children of Blood and Bone premieres in the US on January 15, 2027.
Originally reported by Rahul Majumdar on ComingSoon.net.
