See Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Shamz Garuba & Viola Davis in the First Children of Blood and Bone Photos

First Look: Ayra Starr Joins Star-Studded Cast in ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Film Adaptation

The wait for Children of Blood and Bone just got a whole lot more exciting. Paramount Pictures has dropped the first official images from the highly anticipated film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s groundbreaking novel, and the visuals are absolutely stunning. Set to hit theaters and IMAX screens in January 2027, this project represents a major moment for African representation in Hollywood—and it features Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr making her big-screen debut.

Based on the #1 New York Times bestselling YA fantasy novel by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi, the film brings the mystical kingdom of Orïsha to vivid life. The story centers on Zélie Adebola (played by Thuso Mbedu), a young woman fighting to restore magic to her people, the Maji, after a ruthless monarchy violently stripped it away. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, known for her work on The Woman King and The Old Guard, helms the project with a screenplay she co-wrote with Adeyemi herself. What makes this production even more significant is that key scenes were filmed right in Lagos, Nigeria, grounding the fantasy epic in authentic African landscapes and culture rooted in Yoruba mythology.

The cast reads like a who’s who of Black excellence across continents. Ayra Starr, the chart-topping Afrobeats sensation known for hits that have dominated global playlists, steps into the acting world alongside Hollywood heavyweights Viola Davis (as Mama Agba), Idris Elba (as Lekan), and Regina King (as Queen Nehanda). Nigerian acting legend Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) brings his signature gravitas to the ensemble, while Oscar-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor takes on the role of the tyrannical King Saran. British-Nigerian powerhouses Cynthia Erivo and rising stars like Shamz Garuba, Pamilerin Ayodeji, Temi Fagbenle, and Kola Bodunde round out a cast that celebrates the depth of Nigerian and African talent working across the industry today. Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, and Lashana Lynch complete the star-studded lineup.

This isn’t just another blockbuster—it’s a cultural celebration that positions African stories, mythology, and talent at the center of a major studio production. With its January 2027 release date locked in, Children of Blood and Bone promises to be one of the most important films of the year.

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