Following a fierce bidding war, Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling 2018 young adult trilogy. Adeyemi will both write the screenplay and executive produce the adaptation.
Originally from Nigeria, Adeyemi uses the influences from her West African heritage to paint an epic fantasy world throughout the series.
“Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone has not only become a phenomenon in the young adult world, it has transformed every expectation of what world-building fantasy can be,” said Co-President of Paramount Pictures Motion Group Daria Cercek. “It’s with enormous pride that our studio – along with Tomi and our partners Wyck, Marty and Karen – set out to bring this franchise to life on the big screen. With its thought-provoking and timely themes, we know that this story will resonate with a global audience.”
Deadline reports that multiple studios including Netflix, Universal, and Amazon bid to adapt Adeyemi’s popular books. Reportedly Paramount’s winning deal included a guaranteed theatrical release for the films, as well as allowing Adeyemi to provide special creative approvals.
In 2020, Adeyemi was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. Her first novel, Children of Blood and Bone, debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list. Its sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, also debuted at No. 1.
“Paramount’s passion and enthusiasm to bring this story to life has been incredible,” Adeyemi said. “We are all so excited for this new chapter and are already hard at work.”
