Paramount Pictures has unveiled the cast for its much-anticipated adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel. With an all-star lineup that includes Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, and Tosin Cole, the film promises to bring the vibrant world of Orïsha to life under the direction of Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Scheduled for release in IMAX on January 15, 2027, the action-fantasy epic follows the story of Zélie, portrayed by Mbedu, a young woman living in a magical African kingdom. Zélie embarks on a daring quest to restore the magic stolen from her people by the oppressive King Saran. Alongside her older brother Tzain (played by Tosin Cole), Zélie forms an unlikely alliance with Princess Amari (Stenberg) and Prince Inan (Idris), the king’s children, to challenge his reign of terror.
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, known for her work on The Woman King, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the vibrant world of Orïsha to life. Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”
A Bestseller Turned Blockbuster
Published in 2018, Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone has been a cultural phenomenon, with the Legacy of Orïshatrilogy — including sequels Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Children of Anguish and Anarchy — selling nearly three million copies worldwide. The series has garnered numerous accolades, including a place on the New York Timesbestseller list for a combined 175 weeks and recognition as a Kirkus Prize finalist and one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time.
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The novel’s success was fueled by its powerful themes of identity, oppression, and resilience, with Adeyemi drawing inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and real-world issues. Adeyemi has been candid about her motivation to write, sharing in interviews how the backlash against Amandla Stenberg’s casting in The Hunger Games inspired her to craft a story that celebrates Black experiences unapologetically. “I’m the kind of person who gets motivated by anger,” Adeyemi explained. “I wanted to write a story so good and so Black that everyone would have to read it—even if they were racist.”
The adaptation has been a top priority for Paramount Pictures since 2022, when the studio acquired rights to the trilogy in a fiercely contested bidding war. The project gained further momentum in December 2023, with Prince-Bythewood announced as director and co-writer of the screenplay alongside Adeyemi. The casting of Mbedu, Stenberg, Idris, and Cole represents a significant step in realizing the studio’s vision for this groundbreaking film.
With its star-studded cast, powerful source material, and the creative force of Gina Prince-Bythewood at the helm, Children of Blood and Bone is set to be a landmark moment for fantasy cinema, bringing a richly imagined African-inspired world to audiences around the globe. Fans of the book and newcomers alike can look forward to experiencing the magic, action, and heart of Orïsha when the film hits theaters in 2027.
