Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris and Tosin Cole to Star in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s ‘Children of Blood and Bone’
Variety reports that Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris and Tosin Cole are taking on the lead roles in the highly-anticipated film adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone.” Gina Prince-Bythewood is directing the action fantasy film, based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, for Paramount Pictures.
The studio has also dated the film for release on Jan. 15, 2027 in Imax.
Mbedu, who previously starred in Prince-Bythewood’s historical epic “The Woman King,” will play Zelie, a young woman living in a fantasy African kingdom who embarks on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people by the ruthless King Saran. The story follows Zelie and her older brother Tzain (Cole) as they form an alliance with the king’s daughter, Princess Amari (Stenberg) and son, Prince Inan (Idris) to fight back against his brutal rule.
Published in 2018, Adeyemi’s “Children of Blood and Bone” has become a smash hit, with the novel and its two sequels, “Children of Virtue and Vengeance” and “Children of Anguish and Anarchy” (collectively known as the “Legacy of Orïsha” trilogy) spending a combined 175 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In total, the series has sold almost three million copies worldwide and garnered critical acclaim, with “Children of Blood and Bone” being featured as a Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time; a New York Times Notable Children’s Book; and a Kirkus Prize Finalist, among other distinctions.
In addition to breakout talents Mbedu, Stenberg, Idris and Cole, the film will feature an incomparable ensemble cast including Academy Award winner Viola Davis as Mama Agba; Grammy and Emmy winner and Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea; SAG Award winner Idris Elba as Lekan; BAFTA winner Lashana Lynch as Jumoke; and Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran.
In negotiations to join the cast 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. Also 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 the film alongside Matt Jackson of Jackson Pictures. Adeyemi and Reggie Rock Bythewood will executive produce.