Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, & Viola Davis Among 12 Stars Cast In Paramount’s Long-Awaited Adaptation Of Best-Selling Fantasy Book

Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, and Viola Davis are among 12 stars cast in Paramount’s long-awaited adaptation of a best-selling fantasy book. No discussion of fantasy adaptations in film is complete without mention of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is considered one of the greatest and most influential trilogies ever made and a touchstone for fantasy adaptations. Case in point, Jackson’s subsequent Hobbit trilogy was a financial success, but paled in comparison to his original trilogy.

Following the Lord of the Rings trilogy, several studios sought to replicate its success, leading to fantasy film franchises like The Chronicles of Narnia and Percy Jackson. More recently, television has embraced fantasy adaptations with Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, The Witcher, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and Wheel of Time. However, many beloved fantasy books remain unadapted, such as Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive, Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy, and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.

Paramount Announces Children Of Blood & Bone’s Cast

It Includes Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Viola Davis & Many More

Paramount has announced the ensemble cast for the Children of Blood and Bone movie. Written by Tomi Adeyemi, the best-selling YA fantasy book is set in an African-inspired kingdom and follows a young woman who embarks on a quest to reclaim magic that was violently stolen from her people, joining forces with her brother and the king’s children to resist his oppressive reign. The long-awaited film adaptation is helmed by the renowned director Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King).

Now, Paramount has announced the ensemble cast for the Children of Blood and Bone movie. Leading the fantasy adaptation are Thuso Mbedu as Zelie, Amandla Stenberg as Amari, Damson Idris as Inan, and Tosin Cole as Tzain. Also confirmed for the film are Viola Davis as Mama Agba, Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea, Idris Elba as Lekan, Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran.

In negotiations are Regina King for Queen Nehanda, Diaana Babnicova for Folake, and Bukky Bakray for Binta. Additional castings will be announced following an open casting call for actors residing in Nigeria. Filming is scheduled to begin in South Africa in the next few weeks. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood shared the following statement:

I am so honored and excited to bring Tomi’s Children of Blood and Bone and the vibrant world of Orisha to life. Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.

What Children Of Blood & Bone’s Cast Means For The Movie

Is This The Next Big Fantasy Adaptation?

Children of Blood and Bone was released in 2018 and followed by the sequels Children of Virtue and Vengeance in 2019 and Children of Anguish and Anarchy in 2024 – forming the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, which quickly became a massive bestseller that received widespread critical acclaim, with Children of Blood and Bone being named one of the best fantasy books of all time. Now, with a cast full of Oscar winners and acclaimed actors, the Children of Blood and Bone movie is well on its way to becoming the next big fantasy trilogy à la Lord of the Rings.

Source: Paramount

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Children of Blood and Bone follows a young woman endowed with divine powers in a land prohibiting magic, as she allies with a princess to call upon the gods and dismantle an authoritarian regime.

Director

Gina Prince-Bythewood

Producers

Wyck Godfrey
, Karen Rosenfelt

Writers

David Magee
, Kay Oyegun
, Tomi Adeyemi