The official trailer for the film adaptation of the African fantasy novel “Children of Blood and Bone” is making a splash online. But behind the scenes, director Gina Prince-Bythewood has revealed she almost didn’t make the film — and hinted at casting drama that led author Tomi Adeyemi to distance herself from the project.
Prince-Bythewood (“The Woman King”) directs a star-studded cast including Regina King, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Amandla Stenberg, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lashana Lynch, and Thuso Mbedu.
The adaptation of the first installment of Adeyemi’s bestselling “Legacy of Orïsha” fantasy trilogy is slated to hit theaters Jan. 15.
Why the Director Almost Said No
At a trailer launch event in New York City, Prince-Bythewood revealed she turned down the film twice over seven years.
“I wasn’t emotionally ready to hop on board, and I didn’t know how to make an epic fantasy film yet,” she said. “But there was something about this third time when they came to me.”
She said her experience directing “The Woman King” had prepared her for the scale of the project. “Now I knew how to make the movie.”
‘All the Beautiful Hues‘
Prince-Bythewood said her adaptation was “beautifully inspired by Nigeria and also inclusive of the whole diaspora. We wanted all of us to be able to see ourselves within this, just our complete and utter humanity, all the beautiful hues.”
Her comments come amid behind-the-scenes drama involving the casting of Stenberg, who portrays Princess Amari in the film.
The Casting Controversy
In February 2025, Stenberg posted a since-deleted TikTok addressing backlash that suggested colorism was at play when she landed the gig. She told followers that Adeyemi had given her blessing when she was cast.
“I had the opportunity to meet Tomi, the novelist, for the first time,” Stenberg said in the video. “And she goes, ‘Amandla, I want you to know that when you were a little girl and you were cast as Rue in “The Hunger Games,” and people said that Rue’s death wouldn’t be as sad because you’re a Black girl — that inspired me to write this series so that Black girls like you and Black girls of all shades could have a story written about them.'”
The Author’s Distance
This month, Adeyemi posted a since-deleted TikTok video addressing fans who had been asking why she no longer posts about the adaptation.
“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work,” she wrote.
She also shared a February 2025 exchange with Stenberg, showing only her final message: “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.” The exchange was followed by a notification that she had blocked Stenberg.
The message from Stenberg that preceded Adeyemi’s reply was not shown in full.
The Bottom Line
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood turned down “Children of Blood and Bone” twice before finally signing on. She has hinted at casting drama behind the film, and author Tomi Adeyemi has distanced herself from the project after a controversy involving actor Amandla Stenberg. The film is set to hit theaters Jan. 15.
