Viola Davis' Fantasy Film Struggles With Adaptation Challenges
WHO:
Coming Soon - Viola Davis is starring in the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s novel "Children of Blood and Bone."
thecut.com - The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and features an all-star cast including Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, and Amandla Stenberg.
thecut.com - Tomi Adeyemi is the author of "Children of Blood and Bone" and co-wrote the screenplay for the film.
WHAT:
Coming Soon - The film adaptation of "Children of Blood and Bone" is facing potential impacts on its box office performance and critical reception due to behind-the-scenes controversies.
thecut.com - Adeyemi stated in a TikTok video that she left the set of the film “hyperventilating and sobbing” and returned to the U.S. with “severe somatic pain” and “so many panic attacks.”
thecut.com - Adeyemi expressed that she “never want[s] to hear about this project again” and described it as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.”
Coming Soon - The film adaptation of "Children of Blood and Bone" is facing controversy after Adeyemi publicly disowned it.
thecut.com - Adeyemi described her experience with the film as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through.”
thecut.com - The film adaptation has been in development since the book's release in 2018, which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times young adult best-seller list.
thecut.com - Adeyemi stated she has not seen the film and will not watch it, expressing that it has been painful to hold back her feelings about the adaptation.
WHERE:
thecut.com - The story of "Children of Blood and Bone" takes place in a fantasy version of Nigeria.
WHEN:
Coming Soon - The film is set to debut on January [exact date not provided].
thecut.com - Amandla Stenberg was cast as Princess Amari in February 2025.
thecut.com - Adeyemi posted a TikTok on February 25, 2025, expressing her discontent with the adaptation.
thecut.com - Adeyemi's latest book, "The Siren," is scheduled for release in September [exact date not provided].
WHY:
thecut.com - Adeyemi's discontent stems from behind-the-scenes struggles and a falling out with Stenberg, which she described as leading to severe emotional distress.
thecut.com - Adeyemi indicated that she felt antagonized by those involved in the film adaptation.
HOW:
thecut.com - Adeyemi posted a TikTok video to share her experiences and feelings about the adaptation, stating that staying silent about it was “making the pain a lot worse.”
thecut.com - Adeyemi expressed her feelings through social media, including a TikTok where she detailed her emotional struggles related to the film.
thecut.com - Adeyemi stated she left the set of "Children of Blood and Bone" “hyperventilating and sobbing” and experienced “severe somatic pain” and “so many panic attacks.”
(UPDATED July 31, 2026 01:33 UTC)
The film adaptation of "Children of Blood and Bone" is facing potential challenges at the box office and with critics due to controversies behind the scenes. Author Tomi Adeyemi shared her distressing experience in a TikTok video, revealing that she left the set “hyperventilating and sobbing,” and returned home with “severe somatic pain” and “so many panic attacks.” Adeyemi expressed that she “never want[s] to hear about this project again,” calling it “the worst thing I have ever had to live through,” and emphasized that remaining silent was only intensifying her pain.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 22:29 UTC)
Viola Davis is set to star in the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s acclaimed novel "Children of Blood and Bone," directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and featuring a talented cast that includes Cynthia Erivo and Amandla Stenberg. However, the project has become controversial after Adeyemi publicly disowned it, describing her experience as “the worst thing I have ever had to live through” and stating that she has not seen the film due to the emotional distress it caused her. The film is scheduled to debut on January [exact date not provided], while Adeyemi's latest book, "The Siren," is expected to be released in September [exact date not provided].