Star-Studded Cast Unveiled for ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ – You Won’t Believe Who’s In It!

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In the eagerly awaited movie version of “Children of Blood and Bone,” Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, and Tosin Cole will star in the main roles. Gina Prince-Bythewood is set to direct this action-packed fantasy film, which is being produced by Paramount Pictures, having been adapted from Tomi Adeyemi’s popular novel.

The studio has also dated the film for release on Jan. 15, 2027 in Imax.

In a previous role in director Prince-Bythewood’s historical film “The Woman King,” Mbedu is set to portray Zelie, a young woman residing in an imaginary African kingdom. The narrative unfolds as Zelie embarks on a mission to retrieve the magic forcefully taken from her community by the merciless King Saran. Alongside her elder brother Tzain (Cole), Zelie forms an alliance with the king’s daughter, Princess Amari (Stenberg), and son, Prince Inan (Idris). Together, they stand up against Saran’s oppressive reign.

Released in the year 2018, Adeyemi’s “Children of Blood and Bone” has achieved immense popularity, with its trilogy – “Children of Virtue and Vengeance,” “Children of Anguish and Anarchy,” collectively known as the “Legacy of Orïsha” series – spending a remarkable 175 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list combined. To date, the series has sold nearly three million copies globally and received widespread praise, earning accolades such as being included in the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time; being a New York Times Notable Children’s Book; and being a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, among other notable achievements.

Furthermore, through Stenberg’s portrayal, Adeyemi’s narrative completes its loop: during interviews promoting her initial novel, this young author shared that “The Hunger Games,” specifically the controversy surrounding Stenberg’s casting as Rue and Lenny Kravitz as Cinna in the 2012 movie, sparked her desire to write about Black experiences.

Adeyemi shared with EW that he often finds inspiration in strong emotions, particularly anger. So when he said, ‘I’m determined to create a tale so compelling, so powerful, it will captivate even the most resistant readers,’ this was his writing goal.

Back in 2022, Daria Cercek and Mike Ireland, who are both co-presidents at Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group, won the rights to the “Legacy of Orïsha” trilogy following a fierce bidding battle. Ever since then, this project has been a key focus for the studio’s executive team, including co-CEO Brian Robbins. In December 2023, it was revealed that Prince-Bythewood would direct “Children of Blood and Bone” and collaborate with Adeyemi on the scriptwriting. Now, finding the right actors is the critical task at hand.

Alongside rising stars Mbedu, Stenberg (from “The Hate U Give” and “Bodies Bodies Bodies”), Idris (“Snowfall,” “F1”), and Cole (“Supacell”), the movie will boast a remarkable ensemble with Viola Davis (“The Woman King,” “G20”) playing Mama Agba, Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”), who has won Grammys and Emmys and been nominated for an Oscar as Admiral Kaea, Idris Elba (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”) taking on the role of Lekan, Lashana Lynch (“Bob Marley: One Love,” “Day of the Jackal”) portraying Jumoke, and Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), an Oscar nominee, as King Saran.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that negotiations are underway for me to work alongside the talented Academy Award winner Regina King (“Shirley”), who is set to portray Queen Nehanda. Joining her will be Diaana Babnicova (“Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot”), playing Folake, and Bukky Bakray (“Rocks”), as the character Binta. Moreover, we’re looking forward to casting more actors through an open call for talented individuals living in Nigeria. Can’t wait to see who else will join this amazing cast!

Almost ready with our talented cast, we’re all set to start filming “Children of Blood and Bone” in South Africa within a few short weeks.

The filmmaking trio consisting of Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen (from Temple Hill Entertainment), Karen Rosenfelt (of Sunswept Entertainment), who are known for producing the “Twilight” series, will collaborate with Matt Jackson from Jackson Pictures to produce this movie. Adeyemi and Reggie Rock Bythewood will serve as executive producers in this project.

Stenberg’s talent agency roster includes Entertainment 360, UTA, imPRint, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lescano Bobb & Dang; Idris’s representatives are CAA, M88, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox; while Cole is represented by CAA, Curtis Brown, Ed Smith, and Tapestry.

Davis works with CAA and The Lasher Group; Erivo works with UTA, Entertainment 360, Peikoff Mahan, and The Lede Company; Elba is represented by The Artists Partnership, Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole, and The Lede Company.

1. Here are their talent representatives: King is represented by CAA, John Carrabino Management, Ascend Artist Representation, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer; John Carrabino is represented by Gersh, ColorCreative, Sylvia Young Agency in the UK, and lawyer Derek Kroeger; Bakray is represented by Entertainment 360, Independent Talent Group, Granderson Des Rochers.

2. The talent agencies for King include CAA, John Carrabino Management, Ascend Artist Representation, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer; for Carrabino, it’s Gersh, ColorCreative, Sylvia Young Agency in the UK, and Derek Kroeger; Bakray’s agencies are Entertainment 360, Independent Talent Group, and Granderson Des Rochers.

3. King has CAA, John Carrabino Management, Ascend Artist Representation, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer as their talent representatives; John Carrabino is represented by Gersh, ColorCreative, Sylvia Young Agency in the UK, and Derek Kroeger; Bakray’s reps are Entertainment 360, Independent Talent Group, and Granderson Des Rochers.

4. King, Carrabino, and Bakray each have multiple talent agencies: King – CAA, John Carrabino Management, Ascend Artist Representation, Gang, Tyre, Ramer; Carrabino – Gersh, ColorCreative, Sylvia Young Agency (UK), Derek Kroeger; Bakray – Entertainment 360, Independent Talent Group, Granderson Des Rochers.

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2025-01-22 22:46