Children of Blood and Bone trailer: Thuso Mbedu leads star-studded fantasy epic

The wait is finally over. The first official trailer for Children of Blood and Bone has arrived, offering fans their first look at the highly anticipated adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling fantasy novel. Set in the magical kingdom of Orïsha, the film promises breathtaking visuals, high-stakes action and a powerful story rooted in African mythology, making it one of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2027.Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the trailer introduces audiences to a world where magic has been stolen from its people by a ruthless king.

@childrenofbloodandbone
From visionary filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, the world of Orïsha comes to life. Watch the Official Trailer for #ChildrenOfBloodAndBone - only in theatres and IMAX January 15, 2027. Starring Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, featuring Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Zackary Momoh, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Saniyya Sidney, Diaana Babnicova, Bukky Bakray, Ayra Starr, Shamz Garuba, Kola Bodunde, Pamilerin Afolake Ayodeji, and Tèmítópé Fágbénlé.

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At the heart of the story is Zélie Adebola, played by South African actress Thuso Mbedu, who embarks on a dangerous journey to restore magic and fight for her people's freedom. The trailer showcases sweeping landscapes, intense battle scenes, mythical creatures and stunning visual effects that bring Adeyemi's richly imagined world to life.

Behind the scene images of Children of blood and bone film

A star-studded cast

Leading the film is Thuso Mbedu as Zélie, alongside Damson Idris as Prince Inan, Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari and Tosin Cole as Tzain.The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Regina King, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cynthia Erivo and Lashana Lynch. With such an accomplished ensemble, the adaptation is already generating Oscar-worthy buzz long before its release. Filmed across South Africa and the Canary Islands, the production leans heavily on real locations to create the vibrant world of Orïsha, giving the fantasy epic a grounded and authentic feel.

Damson Idris and Cynthia Erivo.Image: Instagram/@paramountuk

The off-screen drama

While excitement for the film continues to grow, the adaptation has also been surrounded by controversy involving author Tomi Adeyemi. Earlier this month, Adeyemi revealed that she has distanced herself from the film despite receiving a screenplay credit. In a series of emotional social media posts, she claimed she experienced difficult behind-the-scenes issues that left her feeling "attacked behind the scenes." She also shared that she would not attend the film's premiere or watch the finished movie.

‘CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE’ author Tomi Adeyemi says she will not support the upcoming film adaptation of her novel:

“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. […] And lastly since someone asked - I have not seen the film, and I will not watch… pic.twitter.com/jew6Ys8GV7
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 4, 2026

The author also addressed her relationship with actress Amandla Stenberg, revealing that the two had fallen out following Stenberg's casting as Princess Amari. When the casting was first announced, some readers debated whether the actress matched the character's description in the novel, sparking conversations about colourism online. Adeyemi later stated that she had asked Stenberg not to contact or publicly mention her. Neither Paramount Pictures nor director Gina Prince-Bythewood has publicly commented on the matter.

Amandla Stenberg. Image:Instagram/@paramountuk

A fantasy franchise years in the making

First published in 2018, Children of Blood and Bone became an instant bestseller and launched Tomi Adeyemi's acclaimed Legacy of Orïsha trilogy. Inspired by West African mythology and culture, the novel quickly became one of the most celebrated fantasy books of the decade, with readers praising its world-building and themes of identity, oppression and resilience.

Thuso Mbedu and Viola Davis. Instagram/@paramountuk

After years of development, the adaptation has finally made its way to the big screen, with Gina Prince-Bythewood at the helm and an all-star cast bringing the beloved characters to life.If the trailer is anything to go by, Children of Blood and Bone is shaping up to be one of the biggest fantasy films of 2027. Between its breathtaking visuals, powerhouse performances and deeply emotional story, audiences have plenty to look forward to—even as conversations surrounding the adaptation continue off-screen.