Paramount Confirms ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Production is Underway

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‘Children of Blood and Bone’

Overview: This 2018 romantic fantasy novel, penned by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi, serves as her debut work and lays the foundation for the ‘Legacy of Orïsha’ trilogy. The narrative centers around Zélie Adebola, a courageous young woman on a mission to restore magic in the kingdom of Orïsha, which had been eradicated by the ruling class, the kosidáns, who annihilated the maji, the magical people.

For approximately 18 months, Adeyemi labored over 45 drafts to create her novel. Her inspiration came from a variety of sources such as ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘An Ember in the Ashes,’ West African folklore, and Yoruba traditions. Additionally, she drew on the emotional impact of police violence experienced by Black Americans in the United States.

The book was incredibly popular, opening as the top seller on ‘The New York Times’ Best Sellers list for young adult literature. It garnered acclaim for its exploration of topics such as oppression, discrimination, and bondage. Moreover, it serves as a story about youth discovering the strength to initiate change.

After a long period of preparation, it’s been confirmed that ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ is now being filmed. Even before the book was released, Fox 2000 Pictures and Temple Hill Productions, known for productions like ‘Love, Simon’ and ‘The Hate U Give,’ acquired the film rights. In 2019, Rick Famuyiwa was appointed as the director, with author Tomi Adeyemi suggesting a dream cast featuring Idris Elba as Saran and Viola Davis as Mama Agba.

In 2025 at CinemaCon, Paramount made it official that filming has started on the upcoming movie.

In addition, the lineup features Regina King (whispers of her portraying Queen Nehanda), Bukky Bakray (suggested to play Binta), and Cynthia Erivo (cast as Admiral Kaea).

Joining the cast now is Saniyya Sidney, a talented actress who has made a name for herself with notable roles in films such as “Fences”, “Hidden Figures”, and “King Richard”. In these projects, she brilliantly played the younger version of Venus Williams. Her exceptional performances have garnered her several award nominations, including Critics’ Choice Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. At this point, it remains a mystery which character Sidney will bring to life in the upcoming movie.

The narrative unfolds in the imaginary realm of Orïsha, where we find Zélie Adebola, a young diviner living under oppression since magic was eradicated and her kin systematically persecuted by King Saran. When Zélie and her brother Tzain cross paths with Princess Amari, who is on the run with a stolen magical artifact, they form an alliance to resurrect magic in Orïsha. As Zélie’s abilities as a Reaper start manifesting, they embark on a perilous quest to rekindle hope for their people while staying one step ahead of the merciless king.

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2025-04-03 21:14