Overview
- The author posted a five-minute video on Wednesday saying she left the film set "hyperventilating and sobbing," suffered panic attacks and severe somatic pain, and will not watch or promote the adaptation.
- Paramount released the first trailer and held a high-profile launch while continuing to market the Gina Prince-Bythewood–directed film toward its January 15, 2027 release.
- Adeyemi is credited as a co-writer of the screenplay but said she has been "antagonized behind the scenes" and that senior production figures were told about her experience without meaningful remedy.
- Earlier this month she shared a now-deleted screenshot of a 2025 text exchange with star Amandla Stenberg and has indicated a personal rift with cast members without naming further specifics.
- The dispute revives earlier debates over casting and colorism for the West African–inspired story and could shape public reception and the film's promotional rollout as the release date approaches.