Paramount Pictures has released first look images for Children of Blood and Bone, the epic fantasy adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The film has had a long road to the screen. Originally set up at Fox 2000, the project transferred to Lucasfilm after Disney acquired Fox in 2019, before ultimately landing at Paramount in 2022 after a bidding war.
Prince-Bythewood, who came aboard in December 2023, approached the material as a “grounded fantasy epic,” telling Variety ahead of CinemaCon that she was committed to shooting across the continent of Africa and having the cast do their own stunts. “No wires, no stunt doubles,” she said. “The way I love to work is to build athletes, so that they can then do their own stunts. But I also know how hard it is, and how much it bonds actors. That’s what you see on screen.”
What is ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ about?
According to the official description, the film is set “in the epic fantasy world of Orïsha,” 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.” Mbedu plays Zélie, Stenberg plays Princess Amari, Idris plays Prince Inan and Cole plays Tzain.
The film is based on the first book in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2018.
Who stars in ‘Children of Blood and Bone’?
The cast includes Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg and Tosin Cole, with Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea, Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran, Regina King as Queen Nehanda, Idris Elba as Lekan and Viola Davis as Mama Agba. The ensemble also includes Saniyya Sidney, Diaana Babnicova, Bukky Bakray and Ayra Starr, among others. Mbedu, Davis and Lynch previously starred together in Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King.
Prince-Bythewood directs from a screenplay she co-wrote with Adeyemi. Wyck Godfrey, John Fischer, Isaac Klausner, Karen Rosenfelt and Matt Jackson produce. The film is produced by Temple Hill and Sunswept Entertainment for Paramount Pictures.
When does ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ open in theaters?
Children of Blood and Bone opens in theaters, Dolby Cinema, premium large formats and IMAX Jan. 15, 2027.
Featured image photo credit: Photo: Paramount
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