Anticipation is growing for the film adaptation of young adult hit novel “Children of Blood and Bone.”
The star-studded cast for the Paramount Pictures film has been announced, with Variety revealing Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Damson Idris and Amandla Stenberg among the cast that also features Thuso Mbedu (“The Woman King“) and Tosin Cole (“Supacell,” “Doctor Who“) in leading roles.
Bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi, who is set to serve as screenwriter and producer, also confirmed Regina King may be a part of the cast in a Wednesday Instagram clip, though Variety reports the actress is currently in negotiations. “Woman King” director Gina Prince-Bythewood signed on to direct in 2023, according to Deadline.
USA TODAY has reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment.
The 2018 New York Times No. 1 bestselling fantasy novel from the Nigerian-American author, part of her “Legacy of Orïsha” series, follows heroine Zélie Adebola (Mbedu), a girl robbed of her magical birthright in the kingdom of Orisha by a brutal ruler and charged with the task of restoring those powers to her people.
Check out:
USA TODAY’s weekly Best-selling Booklist
Cast of ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ movie
Straight out of a fan dream casting, the actors set to star in “Children of Blood and Bone” are a bit of a who’s-who in Black Hollywood. In Elba and Davis, Adeyemi got stars whom she saw fit for roles before casting had even begun.
“When I was writing King Saran, I had pictures of Idris Elba up, so that’s who I always pictured,” she told the Chicago Tribune in 2018. (Elba has now been cast in a different role.) “And to see Viola Davis as Mama Agba — those are my secret dreams that I hold on to.”
The cast of “Children of Blood and Bone” include:
- Thuso Mbedu (Zélie Adebola)
- Tosin Cole (Tzain Adebola)
- Amandla Stenberg (Princess Amari)
- Damson Idris (Prince Inan)
- Chiwetel Ejiofor (King Saran)
- Cynthia Erivo (Admiral Kaea)
- Regina King (Queen Nehanda)*
- Viola Davis (Mama Agba)
- Idris Elba (Lekan)
- Lashana Lynch (Jumoke)
* yet to be officially cast, per Variety
USA TODAY Book Reviews,News and Best Selling List
‘Children of Blood and Bone’ movie release date
“Children of Blood and Bone” will be released on Jan. 15, 2027, in Imax, according to Variety.
What is ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ about?
Adeyemi’s book draws inspiration from Harry Potter and other fantasy works, while its themes draw on West African mythology, Yoruba culture and the Black American experience.
Riveting African fantasy‘Children of Blood and Bone’ is ready for its movie close-up
The novel follows Zélie as she attempts to restore magic to her kingdom, Orïsha, after the ruling class of “kosidáns” have brutally suppressed her class of magic practitioners, called “the maji.”
The book also covers coming-of-age themes, including parental expectations, as well as darker themes of developing courage in the face of grief and loss, systemic oppression, prejudice and the vulnerability of collective memory.
The book is part of a three-part series that includes 2019’s “Children of Virtue and Vengeance” and 2024’s “Children of Anguish and Anarchy.”
Contributing: Charisse Jones
