Marc Piasecki/WireImage ; Courtesy of Amazon ; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Children of Blood and Boneis headed from bookshelves to the big screen.
“I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’sChildren of Blood and Boneand the vibrant world of Orisha to life,” Prince-Bythewood toldVarietyin January 2025. “Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”
From plot points to cast details, here’s everything to know aboutChildren of Blood and Bone.
What isChildren of Blood and Boneabout?
Henry Holt and Co.
After King Saran violently strips the people of a fantasy African kingdom of their magic,Children of Blood and Bonefollows siblings Zelie and Tzain as they join forces with Princess Amari and Prince Inan, the king’s own children, to fight back against his tyrannical reign.
During a 2018 conversation withEntertainment Weekly, Adeyemi described the book as an “allegory for the modern Black experience.”
“I was like, ‘Oh man, I’m going to write a story that’s so good and so Black that everyone’s going to have to read it even if you’re racist,’ " she said. “That became my writing mission.”
Children of Blood and Bone(and its two sequels) spent a combined 175 weeks onThe New York Timesbestseller list, perVariety. According to the outlet, the series has sold nearly three million copies worldwide and received widespread critical acclaim, including being recognized as one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time, aNew York TimesNotable Children’s Book and a Kirkus Prize Finalist.
The novel also won Adeyemi aTime100spot, as well as Hugo and Nebula awards.
Who is in the cast ofChildren of Blood and Bone?
In January 2025, Mbedu, Stenberg, Idris and Cole were announced as the film’s leads.
Meanwhile, Cole will portray Zelie’s older brother Tzain after previously appearing in 2015’sStar Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakensand 2024’sBob Marley: One Love.
Davis has gained recognition for her roles in 2011’sThe Helpand 2016’sFences, the latter earning her an Academy Award in 2017 for Best Supporting Actress. She also starred alongside Mbedu and Lynch in Prince-Bythewood’sThe Woman King.
Erivo joins the cast following her highly acclaimed performance as Elphaba in 2024’sWicked— which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress — with itssecond partslated to be released in November 2025.
Meanwhile, Elba starred in 2019’sFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, while Ejiofor earned an Academy Award nomination for his work in 2013’s12 Years a Slave.
Who is directingChildren of Blood and Bone?
Gina Prince-Bythewood attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on Feb. 26, 2023, in Los Angeles.Amy Sussman/WireImage
Amy Sussman/WireImage
Where isChildren of Blood and Bonebeing filmed?
Although production has yet to begin, filming is set to take place in South Africa, perVariety.
When willChildren of Blood and Bonebe released?
Tomi Adeyemi attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion on Sept. 13, 2021, in New York City.Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty
Children of Blood and Boneis slated to be released in Imax on Jan. 15, 2027, perVariety.
source: people.com
