Tomi Adeyemi has announced an open casting call for the upcoming Paramount Pictures adaptation of her bestselling novel, “Children of Blood and Bone.” The casting process is set to begin soon, with a wide search across Hollywood and Nigeria to find the perfect actors for this highly anticipated film.
In a recent interview with ABC News’ Linsey Davis, Adeyemi emphasized the importance of the casting process. “We are having an open call for casting as well, so that’s something people should be on the lookout for and stay tuned to my socials because we want everyone to submit. We’re looking in Hollywood, we’re looking in Nigeria, we’re really casting a broad net to bring the team together.”
Adeyemi is particularly excited about the impact this casting will have on young audiences. She envisions young girls seeing themselves represented in the film, on billboards, and in merchandise, stating, “This is bigger than me.”
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone” follows Zélie Adebola, Zélie Adebola, a headstrong divîner with luminous white hair, who teams up with Princess Amari to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha. In a world where magic has been eradicated by the ruthless King Saran, Zélie and her allies face numerous challenges as they fight to bring back magic and justice to their land. The narrative draws heavily on Nigerian mythology, offering a unique and gripping fantasy saga.
The book is the first in a planned trilogy, with the final installment, “Children of Anguish and Anarchy,” set to be released on June 25, 2024. Adeyemi’s novels, including “Children of Virtue and Vengeance,” have both reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
The film is produced by Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Karen Rosenfelt, and Matt Jackson, with Adeyemi and Reggie Rock Bythewood as executive producers. Paramount secured the rights to the trilogy in 2022, offering Adeyemi a seven-figure screenwriting guarantee and creative approvals.
Stay tuned to Tomi Adeyemi’s Instagram page for more information on the open casting call and further updates on the film’s progress.