Gina Prince-Bythewood Announces Open Casting Call In Nigeria For Tomi Adeyemi’s Children Of Blood And Bone

Award-winning director Gina Prince-Bythewood has officially launched a casting call in Nigeria for the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, a novel by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi. Fans have eagerly anticipated the adaptation of this popular fantasy novel since Prince-Bythewood was announced as the director in 2023.

Taking to social media platform X, Prince-Bythewood announced, “Now we rise… Open casting call in Nigeria for male and female actors ages 10-25,” along with a flyer detailing the submission requirements for aspiring actors. This local casting effort aims to capture authentic Nigerian talent to bring Adeyemi’s African-inspired story to life.

The Children of Blood and Bone film is set to be co-produced by Paramount Pictures, which acquired the rights in 2022 after earlier attempts by Fox2000 and Disney’s Lucasfilm stalled, Variety reported. Alongside Paramount, Temple Hill Entertainment’s Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, Sunswept Entertainment’s Karen Rosenfelt, and Matt Jackson of Jackson Pictures are joining as co-producers. Adeyemi and Reggie Rock Bythewood will serve as executive producers to help ensure the adaptation remains faithful to her bestselling work.

Prince-Bythewood is no stranger to epic storytelling, having directed critically acclaimed films like The Woman King (2022) starring Viola Davis, as well as Netflix’s The Old Guard, featuring Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne. Her experience bringing powerful, complex stories to the screen has raised excitement around Children of Blood and Bone.

The book, released in March 2018, debuted at number one on The New York Times Young Adult Hardcover Bestseller List and follows Zélie Adebola, a young girl determined to restore magic to her oppressed people while facing a ruthless monarchy. It has since been followed by two sequels, Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Children of Anguish and Anarchy, the latter of which was published in June 2024.

Rumours have circulated that famous actors Thuso Mbedu and Damson Idris may star in the adaptation, although neither Paramount nor Prince-Bythewood have confirmed any casting details. The open casting call is a significant step in realising a project that fans have awaited for years, which will bring African mythology and culture to the global stage freshly and authentically.

Read More:

• Edo Gov. Okpebholo Nominates Oshiomhole’s Son as Commissioner to Compensate Oshiomhole, His godfather
• Zambia’s Hydropower Crisis Worsens As Lake Kariba Water Levels Hit Record Low

About The Author

Chinalurumogu Eze

author

See author's posts