A trailer has arrived for Iyanu: The War of Twin Princes, the second feature-length prequel film in Lion Forge Entertainment’s animated franchise based on the graphic novel series by Roye Okupe. The 3-episode movie event premieres July 11 on Cartoon Network, with the special available to stream the following day on HBO Max.
Set in the Yorubaland kingdom of Elu, the film follows revered ruler Oba Adedeji as he faces the impossible task of naming an heir between his twin sons. Prince Debo is bold and decisive, while Prince Laja is thoughtful and restrained. When the king refuses to choose, his indecision ignites a conflict with far-reaching political and spiritual consequences that shape the kingdom’s future for generations, drawing in the formidable Queen Adura and the People of the Deep.
The film serves as a prequel to season 2 of the animated series “Iyanu” and brings back voice actor Serah Johnson as Iyanu and Faith Gesiere-Agua as antagonist Adura. Twin princes Debo and Laja are both voiced by Femi Bakes. The project is written and directed by Roye Okupe, with production led by Lion Forge Entertainment and YouNeek Studios. It was also an Official Selection at the 2026 Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.
“With ‘The War of Twin Princes,’ we get to go deeper into the history of Yorubaland, including the origins of Queen Adura and the People of the Deep, and the events that set everything in motion for Season 2,” Okupe said. “It’s a story about power, legacy, and the cost of indecision, and I can’t wait for fans to see how it all connects.”
The premiere date was first announced in March during the “Iyanu Returns: An Exclusive Look at Season 2” panel at WonderCon 2026 in Anaheim. “From the very beginning, Iyanu has been a testament to the power of authentic, culturally rich storytelling, and the global appetite for it,” said David Steward II, founder and CEO of Lion Forge Entertainment. “‘The War of Twin Princes’ is the next chapter in a franchise we are incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience it this summer.”
Iyanu season 2 returned to Cartoon Network on March 21, with new episodes airing weekly and streaming on HBO Max the following day. The season follows Iyanu as she confronts Adura, the cunning ruler of the People of the Deep, whose ambitions place her on a collision course with the Chosen One.
Lion Forge Entertainment, founded in 2019 by David Steward II, is one of the few Black-owned entertainment studios of scale in North America. The studio has earned an Academy Award for Hair Love and multiple Emmy Awards, and its current slate includes a collaboration with George R.R. Martin to adapt A Dozen Tough Jobs into an adult animated feature, as well as the Netflix films Jacob Beats Up Nate and A Dog’s Perfect Christmas.