The film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel Children of Blood and Bone is coming in strong with its stellar cast of Hollywood icons and African talent. Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr will join an all-Black cast featuring Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and Regina King. Filming begins in South Africa ahead of its 2027 release, with Gina Prince-Bythewood directing. Prince-Bythewood is known for directing the 2022 quasi-historical action-adventure movie The Woman King.
Brief Synopsis of Children of Blood and Bone
Set in the West African-inspired kingdom of Orïsha, the story follows Zélie (Thuso Mbedu, The Underground Railroad), a warrior on a mission to restore magic suppressed by a brutal monarchy. Together with her brother Tzain (Tosin Cole) and Princess Amari (Amandla Stenberg), Zélie battles powerful forces led by Prince Inan (Damson Idris) and King Saran (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Other cast members include Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Lashana Lynch (The Day of the Jackal), and Nollywood veteran Richard Mofe-Damijo (Postcards).
For Ayra Starr, this role might be just what she needs to launch her career in the movie industry. That is, if she chooses to take a step in that direction. At just 22, she has already made history as the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act at the MOBO Awards.
The MOBO Awards celebrates the best in music of Black origin and recently took place in Newcastle. Starr snagged the Best International Music Act award as well, placing her in the ranks of Nigerian superstars like Wizkid. She outshone Nigerian and African contemporaries like Tems, Asake, Tyla, and Rema. She also surpassed global icons such as Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Nicki Minaj.
In her acceptance speech, Starr expressed gratitude to her fans and label, specifically stating:
“This is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award…Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS…my producers, my studio partners in crime; my label, MAVINS Records, Embryo, my mummy. Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”
Meanwhile, her new movie project, backed by Lucasfilm, took nearly a decade to develop. The writer, Adeyemi, draws inspiration from West African mythology and the Black Lives Matter movement for her novel. Children of Blood and Bone is filled with authentic storytelling that brings fresh representation to a fantasy genre often centered on Eurocentric themes.
With Prince-Bythewood’s direction, this film adaptation has the potential to usher in a new era for global cinema.
