After years of speculation, Children of Blood and Bone is finally set to debut as Hollywood's next blockbuster fantasy franchise. In 2018, author Tomi Adeyemi released her bestselling YA novel of the same name, set in a world of magic and royal intrigue heavily inspired by West African mythology. Adeyemi's full Legacy of Orïsha trilogy has sold 3 million copies worldwide and spent over 120 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
Since the fantasy book first hit shelves, fans have been waiting for the kingdom of Orïsha to be brought to life in a book-to-screen adaptation, and for the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy to join Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games on the list of YA franchises turned pop culture phenomena. Now that the film's cast and crew are being announced, fantasy devotees can get excited that that's actually happening. Below, we're keeping track of everything we know about the Children of Blood and Bone movie.
When will 'Children of Blood and Bone' be released?
Children of Blood and Bone is set for a theatrical IMAX release on January 15, 2027.
At this point, it doesn't seem all that much longer until we'll meet Zéile, her allies, and her adversaries, considering how long it's taken for Adeyemi's beloved books to be adapted. The book's rights were acquired before it was even published in 2017, but the Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox led those rights to expire. Eventually, a "highly competitive bidding war" ensued, as reported by Variety, which Paramount Pictures won. Since then, the studio has prioritized the project as one of its next major franchises. Alas, you can expect fans to be seated in early 2027!
Who is helming the 'Children of Blood and Bone' movie from behind the scenes?
Gina Prince-Bythewood will direct Children of Blood and Bone. The renowned filmmaker became attached to the project in 2023 and is known for directing hits like The Woman King, The Old Guard, Beyond the Lights, and Love & Basketball.
"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."
And, have no fear, book fans: Prince-Bythewood co-wrote the screenplay with author Adeyemi. The best-selling writer also serves as an executive producer.
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Has the 'Children of Blood and Bone' movie wrapped filming?
Yes! Children of Blood and Bone is definitely on track to meet its January 2027 release date, as filming wraped in early June 2025. Prince-Bythewood revealed on Instagram that production wrapped on June 1st of that year by sharing a photo of a clapper board and praising the cast and crew for their hard work.
"That is a wrap on production!" she wrote in the caption. "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…"
It seems like the movie was filmed during the first half of 2025. According to an Instagram post from the book's author, filming began in February. At the time, she shared a photo of a set chair with the franchise's title on it, with "And…action🎬," in the caption.
The movie will likely have a heavy post-production process, considering all of the special effects it'll need to bring the world of Orisha to life. But at least we know we can plan on heading to the theaters in early 2027!
Who is in the cast of the 'Children of Blood and Bone' movie?
In January 2025, Variety revealed the cast of Children of Blood and Bone. The film is led by Thuso Mbedu, who previously worked with Prince-Bythewood on The Woman King. She'll play the book's heroine Zélie Adebola, a young warrior determined to bring magic back to Orïsha after the tyrannical King Saran muted it. Amandla Stenberg will portray Saran's daughter, Princess Amari, who teams up with Zéile and her protective older brother, Tzain, to be played by Tosin Cole of Netflix's Supacell. Damson Idris rounds out the main quartet as Prince Inan, Amari's brother, who pursues Amari and her new allies.
Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor is set to portray the cruel Saran, while Oscar nominee and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will play his skilled naval commander, Admiral Kaea. Rounding out the confirmed cast is Idris Elba as high priest Lekan, as well as The Woman King alums Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, Zéile and Tzain's mother, and Viola Davis as Mama Agba, the oldest living maji (a magician of Orïsha).
Their castings have not been confirmed, but there are several rumored names among the ensemble, as well. Academy Award winner Regina King is rumored to play Queen Nehanda, Amari and Inan's mother, while Diaana Babnicova is said to play Folake, and Bukky Bakray is said to play Binta.
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What is the plot of 'Children of Blood and Bone?'
Children of Blood and Bone is set in the mythical African kingdom of Orïsha, inhabited by two groups: divîners, who are born with magical capabilities and white hair, and non-magical kosidán. Divîners cannot awaken their magic until they are 13, which is also when they decide whether to become a full maji. 10 different maji clans perform forms of magic, ranging from manipulating the elements and healing to having power over the mind or death.
11 years before the start of the Orïsha trilogy, King Saran executed The Raid, a brutal attack against the maji after Saran's father, the then-king, was killed by Burners (maji who control fire). All maji and divîners over the age of 13 were killed; the Yoruba language, which the maji use to perform spells, was outlawed; and all maji allowed to live were oppressed and forced into poverty. Zéile watched her mother, Jumoke, be brutally killed right in front of her during the Raid.
To keep spoilers at a minimum, Children of Blood and Bone follows Zéile as she embarks on a quest to restore magic and empower the maji against Saran's regime, with the help of her loyal and protective older brother Tzain and Princess Amari, who rebels after witnessing her father's cruelty firsthand.
Is there a trailer for the 'Children of Blood and Bone' movie?
Get ready to feel the magic! In late July, just under six months before the theatrical release, Paramount Pictures unveiled the epic trailer for Children of Blood and Bone. It's soundtracked by Beyoncé's "ENERGY," which couldn't be more apt; the clip shows just how imaginative the world of Orïsha is, teases what Zélie's powers look like, and shows ample impressive fight sequences.
The trailer opens with Zélie's mother appearing to her with a message: "My daughter, you must not be afraid. Orïsha was once a land where magic flowed through our people. You were born with a gift greater than you know, but those who feared our power took it away from us." It then shows the young warrior training with Viola Davis' Mama Agba, who tells her, "For years I have trained you because I believe you are the one. You can bring magic back." It's safe to say we're sat!
You can also check out a behind-the-scenes featurette. The clip shared in late July was the first to share a first look at the cast in costume and the elaborate sets. Throughout, the stars and crew tease the project, with director Prince-Bythewood saying, "I wanted to create a world that you can be inspired by," and mentioning how she "wanted the whole diaspora to be a part of this." Throughout, you can get a sense of what she means with the costuming, body paint, and hair stylings.
Though it's shot in South Africa, footage of the pink rivers (yes, pink!), sprawling beaches, grand cliffs, and, of course, the kingdom make Orïsha look as mystical as it seems on the page. "I'm super excited to be a part of something as big as this," Zélie herself, A.K.A. star Thuso Mbeda, says.
Prince-Bythewood previously spoke about her vision for the film when she teased an early version of the trailer at an April 2026 industry event. According to Variety, Prince-Bythewood called her take a "grounded fantasy epic." She explained, "Despite this fantastical conceit of magic and fantasy, I wanted the audience to feel grounded like they were in the real world. And that starts with production design. It goes to costume, it goes to casting, it goes to action."
The director also discussed the importance of filming the feature in various locations across Africa. "I wanted to give the cast a 360 world to play in. That meant building, as opposed to having a CG world. Costumes drawing inspiration from all over the continent. The action: no wires, no stunt doubles. It’s our cast doing the incredible fighting.”
What has the cast of 'Children of Blood and Bone' said about the movie?
The stars of Children of Blood and Bone have stayed relatively quiet about what fans can expect, but what they have said is sure to get them excited. Damson Idris, for instance, has spoken about what a thrilling experience it was to film the movie—and teased just how hot everyone looks in it.
"Every day was so amazing," the British actor told ELLE about the production in August 2025. "We filmed in Cape Town, and I was out there just taking it all in...And the cast is stacked. The same feeling you had when you walked out of Black Panther is what you’re gonna feel with this, but to an even greater extent. We’re creating something that you have not seen before, and I cannot wait for people to see it."
He cheekily added, "We gave it everything. We were out there for six months. It was sword fighting, and there were lots of abs. You’re really gonna love it."
Mbedu has also emphasized that the cast trained hard for the upcoming blockbuster, telling ELLE in September 2025 that it was "a tough project." The actress said it was even "tougher than The Woman King," but added, "It was a lot of fun, but just physically challenging in a good way."
Perhaps most importantly, though, she said that "the girls will not be disappointed." With the cast this stacked, we'd bet she's right!
What has Tomi Adeyemi said about the 'Children of Blood and Bone' adaptation?
In July 2026, Children of Blood and Bone author Tomi Adeyemi announced that she would no longer be supporting the film adaptation. The author, who co-wrote the screenplay and has an executive producer credit, shared a TikTok in which she responded to why she's been quiet about the upcoming release.
"✨🐉 for everyone’s who’s been asking - i’m answering this question once and for all," she wrote in the caption of the video, which shared screenshots of her explanation as to why she hasn't posted much about the film.
"There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all," Adeyemi wrote, followed by a message that said if fans wanted to support her work, they should pick up the source material at their local independent bookseller.
"And lastly since someone asked – I have not seen the film, and I will not watch it,” she continued. "It's been painful holding this back from you all."
Her statement concluded, "And I’m sorry if any of you thought I didn’t care about US. More than any glitter."
Adeyemi's TikTok also included a screengrab of an alleged exchange with star Amandla Stenberg. "Do not ever use my name in an interview or video again. Do not text me. Do not call me," she wrote to the actress who plays Amari. It appears the messages were sent in February 2025, though Adeyemi did not explain the context in which they were exchanged.
@tomi.adeyemi ♬ original sound - shaalo_
In the comments, Adeyemi responded to a fan, saying she understands if they still want to see the movie when it comes out. She replied to one reader, "I do not mind anyone going to watch the film. I wrote this for us. I fought for us. I’m just laying down my sword and officially separating my name because I can’t keep being hurt and attacked behind the scenes."
The writer's statements differ from the support she previously showed. In a 2024 interview with ELLE, for example, she lauded Prince-Bythewood's work on the adaptation. "She’s the calmest force of nature I’ve ever witnessed, and collaborating with her has been so much fun," Adeyemi said at the time. "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."
It is unclear what changed as the adaptation moved through production. Before the film hits theaters, you can pick up Adeyemi's original text on Bookshop.
