Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s “Children of Blood and Bone” has found its principle cast in Thus Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tosin Cole, and (possibly) Regina King.
The film, directed by Prince-Bythewood, is based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel of the same name. The story is set in an African fantasy kingdom in which a young woman goes on a journey to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people.
Paramount has also set up a January 15th, 2027 release in IMAX. Production is set to begin filming in South Africa in the coming weeks.
“I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the vibrant world of Orisha to life,” Prince-Bythewood said in a statement. “Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”
Last we had heard from Prince-Bythewood, who directed “The Woman King,” “The Old Guard,” “Love & Basketball” and “The Secret Life of Bees,” she had penned a THR op-ed condemning systematic racism within the Academy as the reason why her ‘Woman King’ didn’t get Oscar nominated.
Why is it so hard to relate to the work of your Black peers?” What is this inability of Academy voters to see Black women, and their humanity, and their heroism, as relatable to themselves?
In a nutshell, “The Woman King” took Jerry Bruckheimer’s ’90s action movie blueprint and imported it into an African setting. There was nothing artful or resonant about it. Yet it was overpraised by critics, and its box office failure was brushed off as some kind of success by journalists. Prince-Bythewood was empowered by the positive ink and decided to lash out at the Academy.
The DGA and IATSE are two of the most powerful showbiz unions, and If this merger does go through, they will have absolutely played a role in helping make it happen.