The film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone is officially in production, with an all-star cast and powerhouse creative team bringing the beloved novel to life. Paramount Pictures has slated the action-fantasy epic for release on January 15, 2027, in IMAX, as reported exclusively by Variety.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), the movie stars Thuso Mbedu as Zelie, a young warrior who leads a fight to restore magic to the fictional African-inspired kingdom of Orïsha. Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, and Tosin Cole round out the leading cast as Princess Amari, Prince Inan, and Tzain, respectively. The story centers on themes of power, resilience, and the fight against oppression, mirroring real-world struggles with a uniquely Black lens.
Adeyemi took to Instagram to make the official cast announcement. The ensemble cast is as formidable as the story it will tell. Academy Award winner Viola Davis, Grammy and Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo, and Idris Elba are among the heavyweights joining the production, with Chiwetel Ejiofor cast as the malevolent King Saran. Regina King is also in talks to play the pivotal role of Queen Nehanda, further boosting the film’s star power.
Prince-Bythewood expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “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.”
Children of Blood and Bone, the first book in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, has captivated readers since its 2018 release, spending 175 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and selling nearly three million copies globally. The adaptation is years in the making, with Paramount securing the rights in a highly competitive bidding war in 2022. Adeyemi has been deeply involved in the film, co-writing the screenplay with Prince-Bythewood.
Filming is set to begin in South Africa in the coming weeks, with Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen (Twilight) producing alongside Karen Rosenfelt and Matt Jackson. The cast and crew’s collective talent signals that the adaptation aims to do justice to Adeyemi’s groundbreaking work.
Fans of the book and fantasy lovers alike can mark their calendars for January 2027, when Orïsha comes to life on the big screen.
