Paramount Pictures has announced the cast for the upcoming feature adaptation of the popular YA novel Children of Blood and Bone, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The film will star Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) as Zelie, Amandla Stenberg (Acolyte) as Amari, Damson Idris (Snowfall) as Inan, and Tosin Cole (Supacell) as Tzain. Also in the cast are A-listers Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Lashana Lynch and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Regina King, Diaana Babnicova and Bukky Bakray are also in negotiations to board the film.

Children of Blood and Bone, a novel by Tomi Adeyemi, centres on the African fantasy kingdom of Orïsha, where a young orphan named Zélie Adebola attempts to restore magic, in defiance of the ruling class kosidáns’ brutal oppression of her people, the magic-practicing Maji. The Nigerian-American author’s debut novel was released in 2018 with its sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, releasing in 2019. In 2024, Adeyemi released the final instalment of the trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy. 

“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, best known for directing Viola Davis in The Woman King, said in a statement. “Our incredible ensemble reflects the whole of the diaspora. This is where our magic lies.”