The highly anticipated Children of Blood and Bone trailer officially premiered on July 28, giving fans their first glimpse at the long-awaited adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who co-wrote the screenplay with Adeyemi, the film brings the acclaimed 2018 novel to the big screen with an all-star cast and breathtaking visuals inspired by West African mythology.

Leading the film is Thuso Mbedu as Zélie, joined by an ensemble cast that includes 21 Savage (referenced as part of the broader cultural conversation), Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Regina King, Lashana Lynch, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Filmed in South Africa, the production reunites Prince-Bythewood with many of the artists and crew members behind The Woman King.

What to Expect from the Orïsha Epic

The Children of Blood and Bone trailer opens with Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, Zélie’s mother, kneeling before a younger version of her daughter in the desert. “My daughter, you must not be afraid,” Lynch’s voice tells Zelie. “Orïsha was once a land where magic flowed through our people. You were born with a gift greater than you know, but those who feared our power took it away from us.”

A close-up portrait of a Black woman with elaborate beaded and braided hairstyles, wearing colorful jewelry and makeup, against a dark, glowing background. The text "THUS O MBEDU" and "CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE" is visible.
Source: Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures / Children of Blood and Bone. Thuso MBedu as Zélie.

From there, the trailer introduces the sweeping fantasy world of Orïsha, where Zélie embarks on a dangerous mission to reclaim the magic stolen from her people. Alongside her brother, she forms an unlikely alliance with the son and daughter of the king, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, as they rise against his oppressive rule.

Set to Beyoncé’s “Energy (feat. Beam),” the footage teases massive battles fueled by swords, supernatural powers, and ancient magic. The trailer also offers a closer look at the kingdom’s powerful Maji clans, including the Omi Clan, whose members command water, and the Ikú Clan, masters of life and death. Omi Tiders unleash towering waves, while Ikù Reapers, including Zélie’s mother, possess the ability to summon souls.

A Visionary Collaboration

Gina Prince-Bythewood recently revealed that collaborating directly with Adeyemi on the screenplay became one of the adaptation’s greatest strengths. “I spoke to her about my vision of how I wanted to approach it, of bringing all of us into this incredible fantasy world to allow all of us to see ourselves reflected beautifully and heroically,” the director told ESSENCE. “It was from that moment that we were completely aligned on vision.”

Before taking on the project, Prince-Bythewood admitted she initially passed on the opportunity twice before finally deciding the time was right to bring Orïsha to life. “I think one time I was doing The Woman King and the other time I think I just wasn’t ready,” she explained. “But I guess ‘the third time is a charm,’ as they say. And this time when I read the book, I just felt so connected to this young hero’s struggle to find her purpose and so inspired by her courage and her resilience and her fight.”

Children of Blood and Bone will hit theaters on Jan. 15, 2027.