<i>Children of Blood and Bone</i>: What We Know So Far About the Movie Adaptation
One of the most celebrated YA novels in recent history—Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone—is finally making its way to the big screen. The first installment in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha fantasy trilogy, the book (and its follow-ups) have become enormous hits, and Paramount Pictures has brought in an impressive talent line-up to shepherd the adaptation.
In 2024, Adeyemi told ELLE that there was “so much happening” with the film, the rights to which Fox 2000 initially acquired in 2017, prior to the book’s publication. But after the Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox, a series of transitions eventually led to the rights expiring, and Paramount Pictures scooped up Children of Blood and Bone in 2022. Since then, Variety reports, “The project has been a top priority for the studio leadership.”
Here’s what we know about the film so far.
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Adeyemi’s story follows Zélie Adebola as a young woman in the West African-inspired land of Orïsha, where magic has been all but erased thanks to King Saran’s persecution of Zélie’s brethren. Zélie must team up with her brother, Tzain, as well as the king’s children—Princess Amari and Prince Inan—to take control of their powers, rebel against the monarchy, and restore magic to their land.
Who is in the cast?Children of Blood and Bone has a stacked ensemble. Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Amandla Stenberg, and Damson Idris will round out the film’s leads, with Mbedu (The Woman King) as Zélie; Cole (The Force Awakens) as Zélie’s older brother, Tzain; Stenberg (The Acolyte) as Princess Amari; and Idris (Snowfall) as Prince Inan.
Joining them are Viola Davis as Mama Agba; Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran; Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea; Idris Elba as Lekan; and Lashana Lynch as Jumoke.
Who is behind the scenes on Children of Blood and Bone?Readers, fret not. Adeyemi is heavily involved in the adaptation of her beloved series, executive producing and co-writing the script alongside director Gina Prince-Bythewood, equally beloved for her work directing such films as Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees, The Old Guard, and The Woman King.
Adeyemi described working with Prince-Bythewood in a 2024 ELLE interview. “She’s the calmest force of nature I’ve ever witnessed and collaborating with her has been so much fun,” Adeyemi said. “What Gina does so well is tell these deep, complex stories of women who look like us front and center, with incredible action set pieces, incredible cinematography. It feels divine. It feels bigger than [just] making this project. We’re really in sync.”
Yes. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 15, 2027.
Has production wrapped yet?Yes! On June 2, director Gina Prince-Bythewood posted a carousel on Instagram with photos of her and the cast with the caption, “That is a Wrap on production! 74 days. Two countries and two islands. A passionate and dedicated crew. And an extraordinary cast who gave EVERYTHING. And the journey has just begun…”
This story will be updated.
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