Paramount Unveils First Look at 'Children of Blood and Bone' Fantasy Epic

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood brings Tomi Adeyemi's acclaimed novel to the big screen.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:39pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass fragments in a dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting setup, evoking the fantastical and glamorous world of the upcoming 'Children of Blood and Bone' film.The first look at the lavish visual design and high-stakes fantasy action of 'Children of Blood and Bone' promises an immersive cinematic experience.Los Angeles Today

Paramount Pictures debuted the first trailer for its upcoming fantasy film 'Children of Blood and Bone' at CinemaCon this week. Based on Tomi Adeyemi's 2018 novel, the film is set in the fictional African kingdom of Orisha and follows Zelie, a young woman with magical abilities, as she battles the oppressive King Saran. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the star-studded cast includes Thuso Mbedu, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amandla Stenberg, and Viola Davis.

Why it matters

As the first installment of Adeyemi's 'Legacy of Orïsha' book series, 'Children of Blood and Bone' represents a major step forward for diverse, African-inspired fantasy storytelling on the big screen. Prince-Bythewood's commitment to grounded, practical filmmaking and shooting on location in Africa aims to create an immersive world that resonates with audiences.

The details

The film follows Zelie, played by Thuso Mbedu, a young woman with the ability to command undead spirits. Set in the divided kingdom of Orisha, the story pits Zelie against the ruthless King Saran, portrayed by Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, who has oppressed magic users and rules through terror. Zelie is joined by her brother Tzain (Tosin Cole), Princess Amari (Amandla Stenberg), and Prince Inan (Damson Idris) in her quest. The ensemble cast also includes Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and Regina King.

  • The first trailer for 'Children of Blood and Bone' debuted at CinemaCon in Los Angeles this week.
  • The film is set to arrive in theaters on January 15, 2027.

The players

Gina Prince-Bythewood

The director of 'Children of Blood and Bone' and the recent historical epic 'The Woman King'.

Tomi Adeyemi

The author of the 'Legacy of Orïsha' book series, on which the film is based.

Thuso Mbedu

The actress portraying the lead role of Zelie, a young woman with magical abilities.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

The Oscar-nominated actor playing the oppressive King Saran.

Paramount Pictures

The studio behind the production and distribution of 'Children of Blood and Bone'.

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What they’re saying

“Despite this fantastical conceit of magic and fantasy, I wanted the audience to feel grounded like they were in the real world. And that starts with production design. It goes to costume, it goes to casting, it goes to action.”

— Gina Prince-Bythewood, Director

“Absolutely, we were going to shoot there. Then I wanted to give the cast a 360 world to play in. That meant building, as opposed to having a CG world. Costumes drawing inspiration from all over the continent. The action: no wires, no stunt doubles. It's our cast doing the incredible fighting.”

— Gina Prince-Bythewood, Director

What’s next

If 'Children of Blood and Bone' proves successful with audiences, there is potential for future adaptations of the other books in Tomi Adeyemi's 'Legacy of Orïsha' series, including 'Children of Virtue and Vengeance' and 'Children of Anguish and Anarchy'.

The takeaway

With its diverse cast, grounded fantasy approach, and commitment to authentically representing African culture, 'Children of Blood and Bone' represents an exciting new chapter in the fantasy genre that could captivate audiences and pave the way for more diverse, non-Western fantasy stories on the big screen.