Paramount Pictures has released the official trailer for the live-action fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring Thuso Mbedu, which is scheduled to premiere in theaters and IMAX worldwide on January 15, 2027.
The long-awaited screen adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel is officially taking shape. Paramount unveiled the first full trailer following an initial behind-the-scenes featurette that showcased the physical scale of the production.
Bringing the Kingdom of Orïsha to Life on Screen
Set in an alternate history pre-colonial West Africa, the story follows Zélie Adebola, a young woman in the kingdom of Orïsha seeking to restore magic to her people after a ruthless crown suppressed it. The narrative centers on Zélie, her brother Tzain, and two of the king’s children as they fight back against royal tyranny.
Set in the epic fantasy world of Orïsha, a young woman goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule. The film is based on author Tomi Adeyemi’s 2018 novel of the same name, set in a fictional African kingdom full of magic. The trailer introduces Thuso Mbedu as Zelie, a woman with the power to command undead spirits. Her homeland, the kingdom of Orisha, is divided into clans with different magical abilities. Under King Saran’s reign of terror, magic is suppressed.
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood opted for practical craftsmanship over heavy computer-generated imagery. The production was shot across natural South African landscapes. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood takes fans to the South African set of the film in the clip released on Monday. I wanted to create a world that we can be inspired by,
Prince-Bythewood says. We do this together. That's definitely the vibe that I've been feeling from everybody. We just want to do it with love and respect and passion,
she continued. The behind-the-scenes video also showcases how the makeup artists, hairstylists and costume designers worked to bring the project to life.
despite this fantastical conceit of magic and fantasy, I wanted the audience to feel grounded like they were in the real world.
Gina Prince-Bythewood, Director via Variety
An All-Star Ensemble Cast and Hollywood Debuts
The film features an extensive international cast. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film stars a veritable Who’s Who of Black British and American actors including Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Damson Idris, Lashana Lynch, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, Viola Davis and the lead of the film, South African actress Thuso Mbedu. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood poses with lead stars Thuso Mbedu, who plays Zélie Adebola, and Amandla Stenberg, who plays Princess Amari, during promotional coverage for the live-action film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s novel Children of Blood and Bone.
The clip opens on Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, mother of Thuso Mbedy’s Zélie Adebola, kneeling before a younger version of her daughter in desert sand. Orïsha was once a land where magic flowed through our people,
Lynch’s voice tells Zelie. You were born with a gift greater than you know, but those who feared our power took it away from us.
Nigerian singer Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has given fans their first glimpse of her Hollywood acting debut after director Gina Prince-Bythewood shared a behind-the-scenes teaser for the highly anticipated fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone. Tems has her hit single, ‘Me & U’, featured in the first official teaser for the Hollywood fantasy film, Children of Blood & Bone.
From Bestselling Trilogy to Global Theatrical Launch
Children of Blood and Bone is based on Nigerian-American writer Adeyemi’s 2018 debut novel, and the first book in her Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, which became a The New York Times bestseller. Brought to life from a script by Bythewood and Tomi Adeyemi, the film is based on Adeyemi’s novel of the same name.
Paramount Pictures has set the global theatrical release for January 15, 2027. The filmmaker posted the teaser on Instagram on Monday, offering fans a sneak peek into the making of the film while announcing that the official trailer would be released on Tuesday. So excited to share a peek behind the scenes of our incredible journey to Orisha. CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE trailer drops TOMORROW! And in theatres Jan. 15!
Prince-Bythewood wrote.
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