After teasing fans with a behind-the-scenes featurette yesterday, Paramount Pictures has now released the first official trailer for Children of Blood and Bone, offering the best look yet at director Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel. The preview introduces audiences to the magical world of Orïsha and showcases the film’s action. Check out the trailer in the embed above.
The studio is positioning Children of Blood and Bone as one of its biggest theatrical releases of 2027, with fantasy visuals, battles, supernatural elements, and a story that could launch a major new franchise.
What is Children of Blood and Bone about?
Based on the first novel in Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, the film follows Zélie Adebola, a young woman determined to restore magic after it is stolen from her people by a ruthless monarchy.
Here’s the official synopsis:
In an African fantasy kingdom, a young woman goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule.
Who stars in Children of Blood and Bone?
The fantasy epic features an impressive ensemble cast:
- Thuso Mbedu as Zélie
- Amandla Stenberg as Amari
- Damson Idris as Inan
- Tosin Cole as Tzain
- Viola Davis as Mama Agba
- Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea
- Idris Elba as Lekan
- Lashana Lynch as Jumoke
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran
The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Adeyemi.
A fantasy franchise in the making
JoBlo attended Paramount’s CinemaCon presentation earlier this year, where the studio screened footage that suggested Children of Blood and Bone is being developed as a large-scale fantasy franchise. The footage emphasized practical production, world-building, and action sequences.
The adaptation has also generated discussion following comments from author Tomi Adeyemi, who revealed she does not plan to watch the finished film despite receiving a co-writing credit, saying there is “a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work. That’s all.” Even so, Paramount continues to heavily market the project as a major theatrical release.
Children of Blood and Bone opens exclusively in theaters and IMAX on January 15, 2027.
What did you think of the first trailer? Does Children of Blood and Bone look like the next big fantasy franchise? Let us know in the comments.
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