‘Children of Blood & Bone’ Author Tomi Adeyemi “Will Not Watch” Film Adaptation: “It’s Been Painful”
Deadline
•Sun, 05 Jul 2026 01:15:42 +0000
📰 What Happened
Tomi Adeyemi, the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of 'Children of Blood & Bone' (2018), has publicly stated that she will not watch the upcoming Paramount film adaptation of her novel, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and set to premiere on January 15. Adeyemi, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Prince-Bythewood, revealed in DMs shared on TikTok that the experience has been 'painful' and that there is 'a reason' she hasn't posted about the adaptation. She told fans she has not seen the film and will not watch it, adding 'It's been painful holding this back from you all.'
🔍 The Backstory
'Children of Blood & Bone' was a publishing phenomenon when released in 2018, spending weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and earning widespread acclaim for its West African-inspired fantasy world. Paramount Pictures acquired the film rights and assembled a high-profile creative team including Gina Prince-Bythewood ('The Old Guard', 'Love & Basketball'). The adaptation has been in development for years. Adeyemi's apparent distress over the final product is reminiscent of other author-adaptation conflicts (Stephen King's feelings about 'The Shining', Suzanne Collins' involvement in 'Hunger Games'), but it is unusual for an author who co-wrote the screenplay to publicly disavow the film before its release — suggesting potential creative differences in the editing or production process.
🎯 Why It Matters
Adeyemi's public refusal to watch the adaptation of her own bestselling novel — despite co-writing the screenplay — signals significant behind-the-scenes creative conflicts and raises questions about how Hollywood's adaptation process can alienate even the most involved authors.
Tomi Adeyemi, the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of 'Children of Blood & Bone' (2018), has publicly stated that she will not watch the upcoming Paramount film adaptation of her novel, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and set to premiere on January 15. Adeyemi, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Prince-Bythewood, revealed in DMs shared on TikTok that the experience has been 'painful' and that there is 'a reason' she hasn't posted about the adaptation. She told fans she has not seen the film and will not watch it, adding 'It's been painful holding this back from you all.'
'Children of Blood & Bone' was a publishing phenomenon when released in 2018, spending weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and earning widespread acclaim for its West African-inspired fantasy world. Paramount Pictures acquired the film rights and assembled a high-profile creative team including Gina Prince-Bythewood ('The Old Guard', 'Love & Basketball'). The adaptation has been in development for years. Adeyemi's apparent distress over the final product is reminiscent of other author-adaptation conflicts (Stephen King's feelings about 'The Shining', Suzanne Collins' involvement in 'Hunger Games'), but it is unusual for an author who co-wrote the screenplay to publicly disavow the film before its release — suggesting potential creative differences in the editing or production process.
Adeyemi's public refusal to watch the adaptation of her own bestselling novel — despite co-writing the screenplay — signals significant behind-the-scenes creative conflicts and raises questions about how Hollywood's adaptation process can alienate even the most involved authors.