‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Author Cuts Contact With Amandla Stenberg Over Controversy

Adapting a cherished young adult fantasy novel for the screen often comes with immense expectations, but few book-to-film adaptations have sparked as much ongoing tension behind the scenes as Paramount’s ‘Children of Blood and Bone.’ Based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling 2018 novel, the film has been surrounded by controversy since its casting was first revealed, and this controversy has reportedly taken a significant personal toll behind the scenes.

The issues began almost immediately after casting details were announced, with considerable backlash focusing on Amandla Stenberg’s role as Princess Amari. In the novel, Amari is explicitly described as having dark copper skin, a detail crucial to the story’s examination of colorism within her family.

Critics contended that casting the lighter-skinned Stenberg in this role, particularly alongside darker-skinned actors portraying characters who do not face the same discrimination, undermined the book’s fundamental themes.

Stenberg addressed the backlash directly in a TikTok video, sharing that she had spent months preparing for the role and that she carefully considers her skin tone and the space she occupies with each career decision. She further expressed her desire to see all skin tones represented in media, acknowledging that colorism remains a pervasive issue in entertainment.

According to reports, Stenberg also referenced Adeyemi’s support in that video, noting that the author had mentioned her performance as Rue in ‘The Hunger Games’ as a partial inspiration for the book series, and that Adeyemi aimed to create a vibrant world on screen that showcased various skin tones and shades.

This public mention of Adeyemi’s support reportedly marked the start of a serious rift between the two. A new report from Vanity Fair indicates that Adeyemi later texted Stenberg directly, stating, “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me,” and subsequently appeared to block the actress, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The fallout did not stop there, as tension between Adeyemi and Stenberg reportedly persisted on set when the author arrived days later to film a small cameo in the movie, suggesting that the rift extended beyond a single message exchange.

Adeyemi has since distanced herself from the film’s promotion entirely, addressing fans in a video where she explained her reluctance to discuss what transpired, while acknowledging that her silence was exacerbating her personal distress. She confirmed that she still hasn’t viewed the completed film, despite being given the opportunity last spring, and stated plainly that she never wants to hear about the project again.

Insiders have described the loss of Adeyemi’s public support as a significant setback for the film’s box office potential, given her large, dedicated fan base known as the Tominators. One Hollywood insider remarked that it’s particularly unfortunate since Adeyemi wields a level of influence that few authors ever achieve.

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, insiders have claimed that Adeyemi was actually involved in the film’s casting process and was initially both excited about and supportive of Stenberg’s casting as Amari, complicating the narrative surrounding what ultimately led to the falling-out. Adeyemi co-wrote the film’s screenplay alongside director Gina Prince-Bythewood and serves as an executive producer on the project.

With ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ set to hit theaters January 15, 2027, featuring Thuso Mbedu, Stenberg, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Viola Davis, the ongoing tension between its author and one of its stars adds an unusual layer of uncertainty as the release date approaches.

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