Meet the cast of your next big fantasy obsession, “Children of Blood and Bone”

Meet your next fantasy obsession, the Children of blood and bones film adaptation, which has officially unveiled its star-studded cast.

YA book by young author Tomi Adeyemi in 2018 became an instant hit, debuts as no. 1 on New York Times young adult bestseller list, receives a seven-figure deal for the film rights and takes the world by storm. The story has interesting parallels Harry Potter and The Hunger Games franchises, with one big, exciting difference: It’s about black characters and stars with an all-black cast.

Set in a mythical African fantasy kingdom called Orïsha, the story follows a young woman, Zélie, who is a member of the group known as the maji, citizens who had special powers before the king tried to rid the world of magic. When she discovers a way to bring back these powers, and in turn help the disenfranchised and mistreated former maji, she goes on a mission with her brother to ally with the daughter and son of the tyrannical king to fight back against his brutal rule.

“Every story I wrote (when I was younger) the main characters were white or biracial because somewhere along the line I had come to believe that black people couldn’t be in stories,” the author. Adeyemi told Weekly entertainment in 2018. “I wrote these magical fairy tales that I wanted, but I didn’t think I could have those fairy tales and look like myself.” Raised on Harry Potter and other fantasies with predominantly white ensembles, she ultimately developed her mission as a storyteller: “Write a story so good and so black that everyone will have to read it—even if they’re racist.”

That’s how she came up with it Children of blood and bone, a sweeping fantasy epic about black characters that serves as a clever allegory of the modern black experience, including commentary on institutional issues surrounding race, police brutality, and colorism. The story spawned two sequels, Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Children of anxiety and anarchyand The legacy of Orïsha the trilogy spent a combined 175 weeks on New York Times Bestseller list. And now it’s poised to be the next big fantasy film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Female King).

So regardless of whether you haven’t read Children of blood and bones yet (what are you waiting for?!), or you need a quick refresher, here’s a guide to who all the characters are and who will play them in the movie:

Related: Read an excerpt from Tomi Adeyemi’s epic YA fantasy Children of blood and bones

Zélie

Thuso Mbedu (The female king) will star as the young girl from a poor family in the village of Eloirin who lost her mother during the raid (the time when the king and his soldiers abolished magic and killed as many maji as possible).

Amari

Amandla Stenberg (The acolyte) will play the princess of Orïsha, who hates the violence her family has inflicted on the maji and decides to work with Zélie to bring back the magic.

Inan

Damson Idris (Snowfall) was cast as Amari’s brother, also known as the Prince of Orïsha, who is charged with preventing the children from restoring the magic – and bringing them to justice.

Tzain

Tosin Cole (Supacell) will play Zélie’s very protective older brother, who goes on a quest to restore the magic.

Mother Agba

Viola Davis (The Female King, How to Get Away with Murder) will portray the fierce mentor and combat instructor of the young girls in Eloirin, Zélie’s hometown.

Related: Previews by Tomi Adeyemi Children of anxiety and anarchy, her long-awaited trilogy finale

Admiral Kaea

Cynthia Erivo (Evil) will play the leader of Inan’s army. She is one of the biggest maji haters.

Toy

Idris Elba (The Wire, Luther) will bring to life the heroic man who is the last High Priest of the Maji left after the Raid.

Jumoke

Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel, The Woman King) will play Zélie and Tzain’s mother, who was part of the Ikú clan, also known as the Reapers (magical people who can access and manipulate the spirits of the living and the dead).

King Saran

Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 years as a slave) will portray the tyrannical king, who is also Amari and Inan’s father. The hated royal has a murderous streak and a taste for revenge against anyone with magical powers.

Related: Children of blood and bones guide: Everything you need to know

Queen Nehanda

Regina King (Watchmen If Beale Street Could Talk) is currently in talks to play the cruel and ruthless queen of Orïsha, who also hates maji.

Folake

Diana Babnicova (Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot) is also currently in talks to play the young, rule-following divîner (aka maji under 13, who are still waiting to access their powers).

Binta

Bukki Bakray (Rocks) is also currently in talks to play Amari’s best friend and palace servant.

More castings will be announced at a later date from an open casting call for actors resident in Nigeria. The production is set to begin filming in South Africa in the coming weeks.

Children of blood and bones is slated for a January 15, 2027 IMAX release.

Read the original article about Weekly entertainment