‘Behind the scenes attack’: Sons of Blood & Bone author Tomi Adeyemi has distanced himself from the film adaptation | A young elder

Tomi Adeyemi, author of the popular YA fantasy book Children of Blood and Bone, has distanced herself from the upcoming movie of her book.

“There’s a reason I can’t post anything about my career change,” the Nigerian-American writer said in a group chat she shared. TikTok.

The Paramount adaptation of Adeyemi’s best-selling novel will hit theaters on January 15, 2027. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), the film is set to star. Power StenbergThuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Viola Davis.

Adeyemi’s post also shares what appears to be messages sent to star Stenberg in February 2025, reading: “Don’t use my name in an interview or video again. Don’t text me. Don’t call me.”

The message appears to have come from a time when Stenberg responded to the backlash of the colors surrounding his field. Stenberg’s character Princess Amari is described in the book as having “dark bronze skin”; the player is of two types.

After many fans of the book asked if Stenberg was the right choice for the role, the actress responded with “the idea that I’m stealing roles from black women” in a now-deleted TikTok. Stenberg added that Amari was described as having light skin that contrasted with the “chestnut and mahogany complexion” of other people.

The Guardian has approached Stenberg’s representative for comment.

“I haven’t seen the movie, and I won’t,” added Adeyemi, who co-wrote the movie with Prince-Bythewood, on TikTok. “It’s been painful to hide this from you all… And I’m sorry if any of you think I don’t care about the US. More than any glitter.”

Children of Blood and Bone is the first book in the popular Adeyemi Legacy of Orïsha series. When it was released in 2018, it became number one on the New York Times’ Young Adult list, and saw Adeyemi named on Forbes’s 30 Under 30 list.

“I had many reasons for writing this book but at the core of it was the desire to write about black girls growing up reading books that didn’t exist,” Adeyemi said. Guardian in an interview surrounding the book’s release. “This is what I experienced as a child. Children of Blood and Bones is an opportunity to talk with them.

Responding to a fan comment below, Adeyemi said: “I’m not worried about anyone watching this movie. I wrote this for us. I fought for it. I’m just laying down my sword and separating my name because I can’t be hurt and attacked from behind.”

The Guardian has reached out to Paramount and Prince-Bythewood for comment.