Nigerian Breakouts Ayodeji & Garuba Join Afrobeats Star Ayra Starr and Icon Richard Mofe-Damijo in Children of Blood and Bone

Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s groundbreaking Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Children of Blood and Bone, continues to build momentum with new casting announcements that blend Hollywood heavyweights, rising stars, and fresh talent discovered through an open call in Nigeria. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), the film—set in a mythic African kingdom—promises to deliver a visually stunning, culturally rich fantasy epic centred on Zélie Adebola’s quest to reclaim her people’s stolen magic.

The studio unveiled eight new cast members, including Saniyya Sidney (Oscar-winning Fences, Hidden Figures), Zackary Momoh (Harriet, Doctor Sleep), and Nigerian cinema icon Richard Mofe-Damijo (Black Book). Notably, newcomers Pamilerin Ayodeji (Mikolo) and Shamz Garuba (Crime and Justice Lagos) were discovered through a historic open casting call in Nigeria, a deliberate effort to honour the story’s Yoruba-inspired roots. Director Prince-Bythewood emphasised the significance of this move on Instagram, stating,

The story’s magic is deeply embedded in Nigeria’s history and traditions. Bringing in actors like Pamilerin and Shamz ensures we weave that authenticity into this fictional world. Their roles remain under wraps but will be exclusively revealed by Arise News.

The other additions are Afrobeats sensation, Ayra Starr, actor Kola Bodunde (Shadow), and Temi Fagbenle (The Diplomat), whose diverse backgrounds reflect the film’s pan-African vision.

The film’s previously announced lead cast boasts Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) as warrior-heroine Zélie, alongside Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) as rebellious Princess Amari and Tosin Cole (Doctor Who) as Zélie’s devoted brother, Tzain. The supporting roster reads like a who’s-who of Black Hollywood: Viola Davis stars as the wise mentor Mama Agba, with Idris Elba as the mystical Lekan, Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Regina King (Watchmen), and Damson Idris (Snowfall) in undisclosed roles.

Adeyemi’s trilogy has spent a combined 175 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list, with Children of Blood and Bone alone claiming four weeks at No. 1. The series, lauded for its Afrocentric worldbuilding and themes of resistance, has drawn comparisons to Harry Potter and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Fans and critics alike are eager to see if the adaptation can translate the books’ magic to the screen, particularly given Prince-Bythewood’s track record with action-driven narratives (The Old Guard) and Adeyemi’s direct involvement in co-writing the script.

Filming kicked off in South Africa in February 2025, with Adeyemi sharing a behind-the-scenes teaser captioned, “And… action.” The production team includes producers behind the Twilight saga and The Maze Runner, signalling Paramount’s confidence in the franchise’s blockbuster potential.

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Fantasy enthusiasts and critics are cautiously optimistic. The film’s success hinges on balancing its sprawling lore with emotional depth—a challenge for any book-to-screen project. However, the casting choices, including Nigerian talent and diaspora stars, suggest a commitment to cultural specificity. As one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time (B&N), Children of Blood and Bone carries immense expectations to redefine representation in the genre.

Slated for release on January 15, 2027, in IMAX, the film aims to kick off the new year with a celebration of African storytelling. With its fusion of myth, political intrigue, and jaw-dropping visuals, Children of Blood and Bone could become the fantasy event of the decade—if it sticks the landing.

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