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Author Tomi Adeyemi has spoken out about her experience with the upcoming film adaptation of her bestselling novel “Children of Blood and Bone,” one day after Paramount released the movie’s official trailer.
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Adeyemi said she left the film set “hyperventilating and sobbing” and described the production experience as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.”
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The author revealed that she suffered “severe somatic pain” and multiple panic attacks linked to the experience, which left her certain she would never watch the finished film.
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Adeyemi, who co-wrote the screenplay and serves as an executive producer, said she wants to move on from the project as Paramount continues promoting the adaptation.
July 30, (THEWILL) — Tomi Adeyemi, author of the bestselling fantasy novel “Children of Blood and Bone”, has publicly distanced herself from the upcoming Paramount Pictures film adaptation of her book, describing the experience as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.”
Her comments came one day after Paramount released the official trailer for the highly anticipated adaptation.
In a five-minute video shared on Wednesday, July 29, Adeyemi said she had been dealing with the situation for about a year and a half and felt the need to speak out as the film’s promotion continued.
Watch the video here:
Author Tomi Adeyemi, who previously distanced herself from the ‘CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE’ film adaptation, claims she is “still being antagonized behind the scenes.”
“This film is also the worst thing I’ve ever had to live through.” pic.twitter.com/ZpUZmn9bDt
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 29, 2026
“What I’m about to share is not a secret to the people involved,” Adeyemi 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 antagonised me.”
The author said she was only addressing what happened after she left the set of her own film adaptation.
“I’m actually only going to speak about what happened after I left that set of my own film adaptation, hyperventilating and sobbing, and there are many witnesses, so it’s not really a secret”, she said.
Adeyemi said the experience affected her health after returning to the United States, leading to “severe somatic pain” and multiple panic attacks. She added that she decided she would never watch the finished film.
“But as it is being marketed, and as I am still being antagonised 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”, she stated.
Adeyemi added that she no longer wants to discuss the project or the people involved in making it.
“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”, she added.
The author had previously revealed that she would not watch the adaptation after being involved in its production. She also shared a now-deleted social media post involving a message exchange with actor Amandla Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the film. Adeyemi has not publicly explained the details behind the exchange.
Adeyemi co-wrote the screenplay with director Gina Prince-Bythewood and holds an executive producer credit on the project. However, she said major creative decisions ultimately remained with the director.
Representatives for Paramount Pictures and Gina Prince-Bythewood did not immediately comment on Adeyemi’s claims.
Based on Adeyemi’s 2018 novel, “Children of Blood and Bone” follows Zélie, a young woman in Orïsha, a fantasy kingdom heavily inspired by pre-colonial Nigerian culture and Yoruba mythology, who fights to restore magic to her people.
The film adaptation features Nigerian stars Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Ayra Starr, alongside international actors including Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo and Lashana Lynch.
Nigerian music stars Tems and Burna Boy are also contributing to the project behind the scenes, with Tems serving as the film’s Executive Music Producer and Burna Boy as Executive Music Consultant for the soundtrack.
The “Children of Blood and Bone” adaptation is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on January 15, 2027.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
