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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

7 clusters · 95 sources · 25 days · First seen 26 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Categories: CULTURE

Adeyemi distances from Children of Blood & Bone film

Entities: Children of Blood and Bone (film) · Tomi Adeyemi · Thuso Mbedu · Gina Prince‑Bythewood · Ayra Starr

Overview

In early July 2026, bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi announced on TikTok that she would neither watch nor promote Paramount Pictures’ live‑action adaptation of her 2018 novel *Children of Blood and Bone*. Citing behind‑the‑scenes hurt and attacks, she asked lead actress Amandla Stenberg not to use her name and shifted focus to her readers and the forthcoming novel *The Siren*.

Paramount’s rollout continued with a star‑studded African‑focused ensemble revealed at CinemaCon on 16 July and a trailer launch at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music on 27 July. The event featured a cast Q&A curated by Lena Waithe, an after‑party serving traditional Nigerian food, and a DJ preview of the soundtrack executive‑produced by Tems with Burna Boy consulting. Adeyemi used the occasion to publicly denounce the film, describing it as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through,” recounting that she left the set hyperventilating and sobbing and now suffers panic attacks and somatic pain that prevent her from watching the finished movie.

Directed by Oscar‑winner Gina Prince‑Bythewood, who also co‑wrote the script, the film stars Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lashana Lynch, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Tosin Cole and others. It is slated for worldwide release on 15 January 2027, with an IMAX option, while Adeyemi retains credit as co‑writer and executive producer but says she will not promote it further. The project continues to face an online hate campaign targeting a lead star.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 12 SOURCES] Gina Prince‑Bythewood is directing the film. (Gina Prince‑Bythewood)
[● 11 SOURCES] Paramount Pictures released the first official trailer for Children of Blood and Bone on July 27‑28 2026. (The Official Trailer for Children of Blood and Bone Has Arrived; Children of Blood and Bone trailer unveils breathtaking)
[● 10 SOURCES] The film is directed by Gina Prince‑Bythewood, who co‑wrote the screenplay with author Tomi Adeyemi. (supporting_article_ids)
[● 10 SOURCES] Thuso Mbedu stars as Zélie, the lead character in Children of Blood and Bone. (supporting_article_ids)
[● 10 SOURCES] Nigerian singer Tems serves as executive music producer and Burna Boy as executive music consultant for the film. (Trailer launch coverage)
[● 9 SOURCES] The trailer’s music is set to Beyoncé’s song “Energy (feat. Beam)”. (supporting_article_ids)
[● 8 SOURCES] Children of Blood and Bone will debut in theaters and IMAX on January 15 2027. (supporting_article_ids)
[● 8 SOURCES] Paramount Pictures is releasing the fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone. (Noted in the recaps and news‑updates article d65e3fa0-368f-4a74-8474-01a5d2839bf4.)
[● 8 SOURCES] Gina Prince‑Bythewood is director and co‑screenwriter of Children of Blood and Bone. (Stated in the trailer‑launch coverage and the film‑updates article.)
[● 7 SOURCES] The film is scheduled for theatrical release on January 15, 2027 (1691b6ca-9a8a-4856-893a-da60d109d327)
[● 7 SOURCES] Author Tomi Adeyemi has publicly distanced herself from the movie. (Tomi Adeyemi)
[● 7 SOURCES] The cast includes Thuso Mbedu, Ayra Starr, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Damson Idris and others. (Paramount Pictures)

Timeline

1 day ago

[CULTURE] 28 sources
Tomi Adeyemi denounces Children of Blood and Bone film as worst experience amid NY trailer event
Paramount’s Children of Blood and Bone trailer debuted in NYC with a Lena Waithe‑led Q&A and Nigerian‑food after‑party; author Tomi Adeyemi condemned the film as the worst thing she’s endured, citing on‑set tra
3 days ago

[CULTURE] 11 sources
Hollywood's 'Children of Blood and Bone' Casts African Talent
Hollywood fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone, due Jan 15 2027, features a star cast and African artists Ayra Starr and dancer Endurance Grand, showcasing African talent in a major production.
4 days ago

[CULTURE] 45 sources
Children of Blood and Bone trailer unveiled, film set for Jan 2027 release
Paramount releases the Children of Blood and Bone trailer, directed by Gina Prince‑Bythewood, starring Thuso Mbedu and an all‑star cast; set to Beyoncé’s “Energy” and opens Jan 15 2027 (BR Jan 14).
14 days ago

[CULTURE] 8 sources
Paramount Unveils Star-Studded Cast for 'Children of Blood & Bone' Fantasy Film
Paramount showed the first footage of its 2027 fantasy film 'Children of Blood & Bone', starring Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis and Idris Elba, directed by Gina Prince‑Bythewood; author Tomi Adeyemi has withdrawn her
21 days ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Tomi Adeyemi refuses to back ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ film
Author Tomi Adeyemi says she will not watch or promote the ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ film, citing a private feud with star Amandla Stenberg.
24 days ago

[CULTURE] 11 sources
Author Tomi Adeyemi Distances Herself from 'Children of Blood and Bone' Film Adaptation
Tomi Adeyemi says she will not watch or promote the Paramount film of *Children of Blood and Bone*, officially separating from the project amid behind‑the‑scenes conflicts.
26 days ago

[CULTURE] 14 sources
Tomi Adeyemi publicly distances herself from 'Children of Blood and Bone' film
Author Tomi Adeyemi says she will not watch or promote the Paramount adaptation of *Children of Blood and Bone*, blocks star Amandla Stenberg, and officially separates her name from the film slated for Jan 2027

Sources

92q.com · adomonline.com · africas.com.br · ameyawdebrah.com · archyworldys.com · arrobanerd.com.br · balleralert.com · bellanaija.com · biologynotesonline.com · blackamericaweb.com · blkalerts.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cinepop.com.br · classixphilly.com · comicbasics.com · comicbookmovie.com · complex.com · computerworld.cz · coopamerica.org · darkhorizons.com · deadlinehollywooddaily.com · defpen.com · denofgeek.us · digitalspy.com · dnyuz.com · elle.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · episodi.fi · filmtotaal.nl · foxync.com · gamereactor.es · gamereactor.eu · gamereactor.it · geektyrant.com · getuperica.com · ghananewspage.com · globalgrind.com · gram.pl · guardianweekly.co.uk · heyuguys.com · horyinfo.cz · hot1079atl.com · icecreamconvos.com · ilcineocchio.it · jwave.com.br · kissrichmond.com · ks95.com · kysdc.com

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history