<\/p>\n
Tomi Adeyemi, the author of the popular YA fantasy Children of Blood and Bone, has distanced herself from the forthcoming film adaptation of her book.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work,\u201d the Nigerian-American author said in group chat messages shared to TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Paramount adaptation of Adeyemi\u2019s best-selling debut novel is set to premiere on 15 January 2027. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), the film is slated to star Amandla Stenberg<\/a>, Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Viola Davis.<\/p>\n Adeyemi\u2019s post also shares what seem to be messages sent to star Stenberg in February 2025, reading: \u201cDo not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.\u201d<\/p>\n The messages appear to be from around the time that Stenberg responded to a colorism backlash surrounding her role. Stenberg\u2019s character of Princess Amari is described in the book as having \u201cdark copper skin\u201d; the actor is biracial.<\/p>\n After many fans of the book questioned whether Stenberg was the right choice for the role, the actor responded to the \u201cperception of me that I steal roles from dark-skinned women\u201d in a now-deleted TikTok. Stenberg added that Amari was described as having lighter skin that stands out from the \u201cdarker chestnut and mahogany hues\u201d of other characters.<\/p>\n The Guardian has approached Stenberg\u2019s representative for comment.<\/p>\n \u201cI have not seen the film, and I will not watch it,\u201d added Adeyemi, who co-wrote the film with Prince-Bythewood, on TikTok. \u201cIt\u2019s been painful holding this back from you all \u2026 And I\u2019m sorry if any of you thought I didn\u2019t care about US. More than any glitter.\u201d<\/p>\n Children of Blood and Bone is the first book in Adeyemi\u2019s wildly popular Legacy of Or\u00efsha series. Upon its release in 2018, it debuted at number one on the New York Times\u2019s Young Adult bestsellers list, and saw Adeyemi named to Forbes\u2019s 30 Under 30 list.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a lot of different reasons for writing the book but at its core was the desire to write for black teenage girls growing up reading books they were absent from,\u201d Adeyemi told the Guardian<\/a> in an interview around the book\u2019s release. \u201cThat was my experience as a child. Children of Blood and Bone is a chance to address that. To say you are seen.\u201d<\/p>\n Replying to a fan in comments beneath her post, Adeyemi said: \u201cI do not mind anyone going to watch the film. I wrote this for us. I fought for us. I\u2019m just laying down my sword and officially separating my name because I can\u2019t keep being hurt and attacked behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n The Guardian has reached out to Paramount and Prince-Bythewood for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n