Thuso Mbedu has been cast as the lead in the upcoming movie adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone,” directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. This film is based on the book by Tomi Adeyemi and is set to be released on January 15, 2027, on IMAX.
Thuso Mbedu, known for her performance in “The Woman King,” will play the character Zelie. Zelie is a young woman living in a magical African kingdom. The story unfolds her reclaim to magic that was taken from her people by the cruel King Saran. Along with her older brother Tzain, played by Tosin Cole, Zelie teams up with Princess Amari, portrayed by Amandla Stenberg, and Prince Inan, played by Damson Idris. Together, they fight against the king’s harsh rule.
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Gina Prince-Bythewood expressed her excitement about bringing this story to life. She believes the chosen cast reflects the African diaspora, which adds depth to the film.
“Children of Blood and Bone” has been a huge success since it was published in 2018. The book and its sequels have spent a remarkable 175 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and have sold nearly three million copies worldwide. Adeyemi’s work has received many accolades, making it one of the top fantasy books of all time.
Interestingly, Amandla Stenberg’s casting in this film brings a connection to Adeyemi’s journey as a writer. In the past, Adeyemi was inspired to write her story after seeing the backlash against Stenberg’s casting in “The Hunger Games.” She wanted to create a story that celebrated Black experiences and made people take notice.
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The film will also feature a cast, including Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Lashana Lynch, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, among others. Production is set to begin soon in South Africa, and there are plans to hold an open casting call for actors in Nigeria.
