Updated
Updated · Vulture · Jul 8
Tomi Adeyemi Disavows Paramount's 'Children of Blood and Bone' Film as Amandla Stenberg Blocks Her
Updated
Updated · Vulture · Jul 8

Tomi Adeyemi Disavows Paramount's 'Children of Blood and Bone' Film as Amandla Stenberg Blocks Her

3 articles · Updated · Vulture · Jul 8

Summary

  • TikTok posts from Tomi Adeyemi said she wants "nothing to do" with Paramount's adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone and does not plan to watch the film.
  • A screenshot she shared showed Amandla Stenberg telling Adeyemi not to mention her in interviews before blocking her, which Adeyemi cited as the break behind her silence on the project.
  • Stenberg's casting as Princess Amari had already drawn backlash in 2025 from fans who said the dark-skinned character should have been played by a Nigerian actress.
  • The adaptation still carries a major ensemble led by Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis and Idris Elba, with Gina Prince-Bythewood directing the fantasy story set in an uncolonized Nigeria-inspired kingdom.

Insights

With its author and star feuding publicly, can the 'Children of Blood and Bone' film succeed?
Does this casting controversy expose Hollywood's persistent struggle with authentic racial representation?
When an author disowns the film she co-wrote, what does this reveal about creative control in Hollywood?