Tomi Adeyemi says her experience with the film adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone” has convinced her never to turn another of her books into a movie.
The best-selling author, whose 2018 fantasy novel is the basis for the upcoming film, also remains adamant that she does not intend to watch the finished adaptation when it arrives in theaters Jan. 15.
Adeyemi addressed the production in a new interview after publicly criticizing it in late July. At the time, she posted a TikTok video describing the adaptation as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.” She said the experience left her “hyperventilating and sobbing” while on set.
She further alleged that she was “still being antagonized behind the scenes.” After filming wrapped and she returned to America, Adeyemi said she experienced “such severe somatic pain and so many panic attacks.”
Why Adeyemi decided to speak publicly
Reflecting on her decision to post the July video, Adeyemi said she felt that remaining silent would have prevented her from moving forward.
“I understood that if I didn’t speak up, I couldn’t move forward,” she said. “I can’t really worry about the response, because I don’t have to live with how people respond to me – I have to live with me, every day.”
Adeyemi has not revealed the specific incidents that made the production so distressing for her. “I won’t go into the specifics,” she said, while describing the combined experience of writing the trilogy and seeing it adapted for the screen in sweeping terms.
“The whole journey of the trilogy and the adaptation felt biblical … It took all of me,” she added.
Her comments draw a clear line between the work she controls as an author and the decisions made for a film adaptation. Asked about the casting of Amandla Stenberg, Adeyemi emphasized that she did not make the movie’s creative choices.
“With a film, the director makes every decision,” she said. “With my book I can talk about every choice down to the commas, because that’s truly in my hands. So there’s nothing for me to add, other than the clarity that these aren’t my choices.”
Casting prompted discussion among book fans
Gina Prince-Bythewood directed “Children of Blood and Bone.” The cast includes Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Stenberg, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Idris Elba and Viola Davis, among others.
Stenberg’s casting sparked conversations about colorism among fans of the novel. Stenberg is mixed race, while Adeyemi describes the character the actor plays as having “dark copper skin” in the books.
The subject also surfaced around an earlier social media post. In a since-deleted TikTok shared in early July, Adeyemi posted what appeared to be a group chat that included Stenberg. A message from Adeyemi read, “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.” The post appeared to show Adeyemi blocking Stenberg.
Adeyemi has now made clear that she does not view herself as responsible for the film’s casting or other directorial decisions. Her distinction rests on the level of control she has over the original novels compared with the adaptation.
What Happens Next?
“Children of Blood and Bone” is set to open in theaters Jan. 15, but Adeyemi does not expect to be among those watching it.
“I still don’t plan to watch it,” she said, “but it’s not really for me to watch.”
For Adeyemi, the experience has also closed the door on future movie adaptations of her writing: She says she will “never” turn another one of her books into a film.