'Children of Blood and Bone' Author Will Never Authorize Another Adaptation
Tomi Adeyemi says her experience behind the scenes of Children of Blood and Bone was "the worst" of her life and that she doesn't intend to watch the film.
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In an interview with The Guardian, Tomi Adeyemi stated that she will never again authorize the adaptation of one of her books into a film. The decision came after what she describes as a traumatic experience behind the scenes of Children of Blood and Bone, based on her 2018 novel.
The author came into the spotlight at the end of July when she posted a video on TikTok criticizing the production. She expressed no interest in watching the movie adaptation, relating her disappointment to a set visit that left her "hyperventilating and sobbing". After the full trailer was released, Adeyemi took to social media to say that she's "still being antagonized behind the scenes".
“It’s a reality that I have 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", the author said. "If anything, they have only antagonized me, and I accept that. But I also accept if I don’t say something, I think it’s just going to be worse.”
Asked by The Guardian if she wanted to clarify anything about the casting, the author replied that, in a film, the director makes all the decisions. "With my book, I can talk about every choice, down to the commas, because it's truly in my hands. So there's nothing to add, other than clarifying that these aren't my choices." Regarding watching the finished film, Adeyemi was brief. "I don't intend to watch it yet, but it's not something I'm meant to watch either."
Everything you need to know about Children of Blood and Bone
The adaptation of the first book stars Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Damson Idris, Theno Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Amandla Stenberg.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), Children of Blood and Bone is set in the kingdom of Orisha, where Zélie (Thuso Mbedu) must restore the magic stolen from her people. The screenplay was co-written by the director in partnership with the book’s author, Adeyemi.
The film is slated for release on January 15, 2027.
