The first official trailer for the highly anticipated film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel, Children of Blood and Bone, has been released, giving fans a glimpse of the epic adventure ahead. The movie features an impressive lineup of international stars, with Nigerian actors and entertainers Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Ayra Starr among the cast.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, the fantasy drama is set in the mythical African kingdom of Orïsha and follows the journey of Zélie, played by South African actress Thuso Mbedu, as she embarks on a dangerous quest to restore the magical powers that were brutally taken from her people.
Joining Mbedu in the star-studded cast are Academy Award winner Viola Davis as the wise seer Mama Agba, Idris Elba as the powerful high priest Lekan, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the ruthless King Saran, whose reign is built on oppression and fear.
Also featured are Damson Idris as King Saran’s conflicted son, Prince Inan; Cynthia Erivo as Commander Kaea, the kingdom’s formidable military leader; Regina King as Queen Nehanda; Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari; Lashana Lynch as Zélie’s mother, Jumoke; and Tosin Cole as her brother, Tzain.
Representing Nigeria alongside RMD and Ayra Starr are Bukky Bakray, who portrays Binta, as well as Zackary Momoh and Saniyya Sidney. However, the specific roles of RMD, Ayra Starr, Momoh and Sidney have yet to be officially revealed.
The film is adapted from Adeyemi’s acclaimed 2018 debut novel, the first installment of the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, which became a New York Times bestseller and earned global recognition for its rich African-inspired storytelling.
Children of Blood and Bone also reunites several cast members from Prince-Bythewood’s critically acclaimed historical epic The Woman King, including Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis and Lashana Lynch.
Despite the excitement surrounding the project, the film has been overshadowed by reports of a disagreement between Adeyemi and the production team. Although the Nigerian-American author co-wrote the screenplay with Prince-Bythewood, she recently disclosed that she would not be promoting the film.
In a TikTok post, Adeyemi shared screenshots of messages indicating her decision to distance herself from the adaptation. She also alleged that she had instructed actress Amandla Stenberg not to mention her name during interviews or contact her again, suggesting the actress had been blocked.
The newly released trailer, accompanied by Beyoncé’s 2022 hit song Energy, showcases breathtaking visuals as Zélie battles King Saran’s forces while discovering her destiny. The film’s aesthetic has drawn comparisons to Marvel’s Black Panther franchise and Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King, reflecting its grand scale and African-inspired world-building.
Children of Blood and Bone is scheduled to premiere in cinemas worldwide on January 15, 2027, with fans eagerly anticipating what promises to be one of the biggest fantasy films of the year.
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