movies

‘Children of Blood & Bone’ Author “Will Not Watch” Film Adaptation

Published

5 hours ago

July 5, 2026

As Tomi Adeyemi‘s 2018 YA novel makes its way to the big screen, she has no plans to watch the first film adaptation of her work.

The Children of Blood & Bone author recently addressed a fan’s question about why she hasn’t spoken more about the upcoming Gina Prince-Bythewood-helmed Paramount adaptation, premiering Jan. 15.

“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all,” Adeyemi wrote in DMs she shared on TikTok.

“And lastly since someone asked – I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it,” added Adeyemi, who also co-wrote the film with Prince-Bythewood. “It’s been painful holding this back from you all. … And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care about US. More than any glitter.”

Adeyemi also shared a screenshot of a DM she apparently sent to Amandla Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the film adaptation. “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me,” she wrote to Stenberg. Deadline has reached out to Stenberg’s rep.

The message was dated in late February, shortly after Stenberg responded to accusations of “stealing roles from dark-skinned women,” as many fans noted the character is described in the book as having “dark copper skin.”

“I had the opportunity to meet Tomi, the novelist, for the first time,” said Stenberg at the time. “Then, she goes, ‘Amandla, I want you to know that when you were a little girl and were cast as Rue in The Hunger Games, and you had these racist remarks thrown at you because 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.’ We just started crying, and I said to myself, ‘God wants me here!’”

Based on the first book in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Children of Blood and Bone is set in an African fantasy kingdom where a young woman goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule.

The cast also includes Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Viola Davis and more.

movies

‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Author Tomi Adeyemi Will Not Watch Movie

Published

1 hour ago

July 5, 2026

qasimgillani

Tomi Adeyemi is sharing her feelings about Paramount Pictures’ forthcoming feature adaptation of her YA novel Children of Blood and Bone.

The author took to social media to address any fans of her work who may have wondered why she has not recently been promoting the film version that hits theaters Jan. 15, 2027. Adapting Adeyemi’s best-selling 2018 debut novel, director Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s movie stars Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Viola Davis.

In a TikTok video that she posted Saturday, Adeyemi included an screenshot of her message to unidentified recipients that read, “There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all.”

The video also included a screenshot of an apparent message that she sent to Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari in the movie. Adeyemi’s message read, “Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me.” The image suggested that Adeyemi had blocked the actress who is known for roles in The Hunger Games and The Hate U Give.

According to the time stamp from the screenshot, the author sent her message in February 2025. This would have been around the time that Stenberg posted a video to TikTok in which she responded to colorism backlash surrounding her role and said that Adeyemi had supported her casting. That post has since been deleted.

Adeyemi’s Saturday post included another screenshot of messages to unidentified recipients, with the author writing, “Since someone asked, I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it.” She continued, “It’s been painful holding this back from you all.”

She added, “And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care. I will always care about US. More than any glitter.”

When one fan posted in the TikTok comments about feeling sad regarding her post, the author replied, “I do not mind anyone going to watch the film. I wrote this for us. I fought for us. I’m just laying down my sword and officially separating my name because I can’t keep being hurt and attacked behind the scenes.”

As the first novel in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Children of Blood and Bone is set in an African fantasy kingdom as a young woman (Mbedu) goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother (Cole) ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule.

Prince-Bythewood accompanied castmembers Stenberg, Mbedu, Idris, Ejiofor and King at CinemaCon earlier this year to debut the first footage from Children of Blood and Bone. The Woman King director told the crowd, “I’m honored to bring this incredible best-selling fantasy book to life.”

movies

National Mall Evacuated In Advance Of Trump Speech Due To Severe Weather

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2026

qasimgillani

Severe weather has postponed, for now, the Salute to America celebration on the National Mall that was to feature Donald Trump‘s speech followed by fireworks.

After a sweltering hot day of record breaking temperatures in the region, the scattered storms moved in around 5 p.m. ET. The Salute to America was set to start at 7 p.m. ET, but attendees were advised to seek shelter.

Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement, “The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority. Due to approaching severe storms, Freedom 250, United States Secret Service, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and all public safety partners are asking all guests to evacuate event grounds and seek temporary shelter in a nearby building.”

Alvarez also provided a list of shelter locations, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service, VOA Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the African American Museum, and the Ronald Reagan Building.

The Secret Service also announced that it was suspending admissions to the grounds, which feature security checkpoints. “This action was taken solely in the interest of public safety, and we have no estimate for when screening may resume,” the Secret Service said.

Throughout the day, there have been military flyovers in the region to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. That has meant ground stops at Washington Reagan International Airport and delays at Washington Dulles International Airport.

On Fox News, Monica Crowley, chief of protocol, said that lightning strikes in the region have been a concern. “We are watching the weather very closely,” she said.

Trump is scheduled to start speaking around 9:45 p.m. ET. A stage was set up near the Washington Monument for the event, located just west of the Great American State Fair on the Mall.

movies

‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ Doc Teaser Follows Oasis Reunion Tour

Published

8 hours ago

July 4, 2026

qasimgillani

A year after Oasis reunited to kick off their world tour in Cardiff, Wales, fans can see their first performance together in 16 years on the big screen.

On Saturday, Disney released the teaser for Don’t Look Back in Anger, a documentary that follows brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher’s highly-anticipated reunion for last year’s Oasis Live ’25 sold-out world tour, premiering in Imax and theaters in September.

Written, directed and produced by BAFTA and Oscar nominee Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows) with co-directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace (Shut Up and Play the Hits, Meet Me in the Bathroom), the Magna Studios and Sony Music Vision documentary is presented by Disney+, featuring unprecedented access with rehearsal, backstage and onstage footage, as well as Noel and Liam’s first joint interviews in 20 years.

“The Oasis world tour united generations, cultures and countries and spoke to a broken world about reconciliation,” said Knight. “Don’t Look Back In Anger is not only your ticket to the show – it’s a backstage pass and a seat at the table when Liam and Noel sit down together for the first time in 15 years and tell it how it is and how it was.”

Producers include Sam Bridger and Guy Heeley, with executive producers Kate Shepherd, Marisa Clifford, Davud Karbassioun, Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener, Isabel Davis, and Tim O’Shea. The creative team features Oscar-winning sound mixers James Mather and Tarn Willers, cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos and editors George Cragg and Martina Zamolo.

Oasis played 17 gigs last year, beginning with Cardiff in July. Tickets were in such demand that many fans were left paying hundreds of dollars more than anticipated due to “dynamic pricing” on sales websites, a practice that was subsequently investigated by a government watchdog.