ESSENCE has shared the first look images of Children of Blood and Bone, the highly anticipated Paramount Pictures adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling 2018 fantasy novel, alongside an exclusive interview with director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Prince-Bythewood, whose previous credits include The Woman King and The Old Guard, told ESSENCE she was approached twice before finally committing to the project. “This time when I read the book, I just felt so connected to this young hero’s struggle to find her purpose and so inspired by her courage and her resilience and her fight,” she said. “And I started to see the film and when that happens, I know I have to make it.”
Central to the production was Prince-Bythewood’s collaboration with Adeyemi on the screenplay. “My respect for authors is always my north star,” she said. “The book is always the Bible. It’s not a blueprint.” She described bringing Adeyemi into every element of the process. “I spoke to her about my vision of how I wanted to approach it, of bringing all of us into this incredible fantasy world to allow all of us to see ourselves reflected beautifully and heroically. It was from that moment that we were completely aligned on vision.” Prince-Bythewood added that she shared everything with Adeyemi, from casting decisions to production design, costumes and choreography. “I wanted her to be excited by every element.”
Based on the first book in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, the film follows Zélie Adebola, a young woman on a dangerous mission to restore magic to the West African-inspired kingdom of Orïsha after it is violently erased by the ruling king. Alongside her brother Tzain, she joins forces with Princess Amari and Prince Inan, children of the ruthless King Saran, in a rebellion against his oppressive rule.
The ensemble cast is among the most impressive assembled for a fantasy film in recent memory. Thuso Mbedu leads as Zélie, with Damson Idris as Prince Inan, Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari and Tosin Cole as Tzain. The supporting cast includes Viola Davis as Mama Agba, Regina King as Queen Nehanda, Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran, Idris Elba as Lekan, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, Saniyya Sidney, Zackary Momoh, Bukky Bakray as Binta and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, with Pamilerin Ayodeji and Shamz Garuba both discovered through an open casting call in Nigeria.
The film was shot entirely in South Africa, reuniting Prince-Bythewood with many of the craftspeople and stunt community she built during The Woman King. Composer Terence Blanchard returns to score the film, this time blending traditional orchestral music with African instrumentation and Afrobeats. “Terence is a genius,” Prince-Bythewood said. “We both felt like we had started this beautiful musical conversation that we wanted to continue.”
At its heart, Prince-Bythewood describes the film as a celebration. “This film is a true celebration of the Black diaspora, from the story to the casting to the world building designs, costume, action, choreography, music, all of it. I get to create this fantasy world and I wanted all of us to be able to see ourselves in this world, the full breadth of us, our full humanity, every beautiful hue, because I truly believe that’s where our magic lies.”
The film arrives, however, amid some behind-the-scenes complexity. As we previously reported, Adeyemi has publicly distanced herself from the finished film, stating on TikTok that she has not seen it and will not watch it, and asking fans to support her by purchasing her books from independent bookstores instead. She offered no specific explanation for her departure beyond saying there is a reason she will not promote the adaptation. “It’s been painful holding this back from you all,” she wrote. “I will always care about US more than any glitter.” What changed between the collaborative process Prince-Bythewood describes and Adeyemi’s ultimate decision to step back remains publicly unclear.
Children of Blood and Bone opens in IMAX theaters on January 15, 2027. For the full first look images, click here.