Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s movie adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone has found its principle cast in Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) as Zelie, Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) as Amari, Damson Idris (Snowfall) as Inan and Tosin Cole (Supacell) as Tzain.
Also confirmed are Academy Award winner Viola Davis (The Woman King, G20) as Mama Agba; Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) as Admiral Kaea; Idris Elba (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) as Lekan; Lashana Lynch (Bob Marley: One Love) as Jumoke; and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as King Saran.
In negotiations are Academy Award winner Regina King (Shirley) as Queen Nehanda; Diaana Babnicova (Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot) as Folake; and Bukky Bakray (Rocks) as Binta.
The film, directed by Prince-Bythewood, is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Tomi Adeyemi. The story is set in an African fantasy kingdom in which 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.
“I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the vibrant world of Orisha to life,” Prince-Bythewood said in a statement. “Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”
The movie releases January 15th, 2027 in IMAX. Production is set to begin filming in South Africa in the coming weeks.
Forthcoming will be additional castings from an open casting call for actors living in Nigeria.
Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen of Temple Hill Entertainment, together with Karen Rosenfelt of Sunswept Entertainment – the filmmaking team behind the Twilight series – will produce, alongside Matt Jackson of Jackson Pictures. Adeyemi and Reggie Rock Bythewood will executive produce. Adeyemi and Prince-Bythewood co-wrote the script.
Paramount Pictures President & CEO Brian Robbins, along with Motion Picture Group Presidents Daria Cercek and Mike Ireland, acquired the rights to the trilogy in a highly competitive bidding war.
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