Tomi Adeyemi, the author of the bestselling novel Children of Blood and Bone, has announced her departure from the upcoming film adaptation.
She a Nigerian-American novelist, gained recognition through her bestselling fantasy series Children of Blood and Bone.
Adeyemi explained in a social media post why she hasn’t spoken out about the project. Gina Prince-Bythewood directed the adaptation. 
Adeyemi co-wrote the script that the studio chose to move forward with and appears to have blocked Amandla Stenberg, who plays the film’s lead character, Zélie Adebola.
“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work,” she wrote. “I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it. It’s been painful holding this back from you all.”
Adeyemi did not disclose the exact reason behind her decision. However, her comments suggest that she no longer wishes to associate herself with the adaptation despite creating the original story.
A controversy over actor casting emerged before now. Many fans criticised the film adaptation’s casting because Yoruba culture and West African traditions heavily influence the plot. Some viewers believed that the producers should have featured more Nigerian or Yoruba actors in key roles for a project about Nigerian culture.
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The film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone ranks among the most anticipated fantasy movies currently in development. The project features a star-studded cast that includes Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Adeyemi’s 2018 novel inspired the story, which follows Zélie Adebola as she fights to restore magic to the fictional kingdom of Orïsha after a ruthless ruler suppresses and persecutes its practitioners.
The filmmakers plan to release the film on January 15, 2027. As of this writing, neither the filmmakers nor the studio had publicly responded to Adeyemi’s comments.
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