Fans are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone. This popular young adult novel is written by Tomi Adeyemi. It became a bestseller after its release in 2018. Furthermore, Paramount Pictures will release the film. The cast is yet to be released officially. However, some of them have been listed according to sources. Continue reading to learn more about the cast of Children of Blood and Bone.
Star-Studded Cast
The casting process included both stars and fresh faces. Thuso and Tosin are new faces in the industry. On the other hand, there are renowned actors like Viola and Idris. All of them are integral to the overall storyline. Regina is currently undecided about her role. Some of the final actors are mentioned below.
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1. Thuso Mbedu as Zélie Adebola
Mbedu plays the main protagonist, Zélie. She is a young woman with a formidable spirit. Zélie fights to restore magic to her people. They are known as the maji. Thuso is known for her spectacular performances. Moreover, she has starred in The Woman King. This film portrayed her excellent skills.
2. Tosin Cole as Tzain Adebola
Cole plays Zélie’s brother, Tzain. He is known to be loyal and brave. Moreover, he supports Zélie on her quest. The actor has appeared in several popular shows. Some of them are Doctor Who and Supacell. His experience will definitely bring depth to the novel’s character.
3. Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari
Amandla plays Princess Amari. She is the king’s daughter. Amari joins hands with Zélie. They fight together against oppression. The actress is known for her renowned roles. Some of her works include The Hate U Give and The Acolyte. Moreover, she is an integral character in the story.
4. Damson Idris as Prince Inan
Damson plays the Prince Inan. He is Amari’s brother. He struggles with loyalty to his father. His father is the king, Saran in the story. Moreover, he shares feelings for Zélie. The actor is recognized for his role in the series Snowfall. His character brings another side to the story.
5. Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran
Chiwetel takes on the role of the King, Saran. He is the tyrannical ruler. The king is known to oppress the maji. Chiwetel is an Oscar-nominated actor. He has given his contributions to films such as 12 Years a Slave. His performance will add gravitas to the film.
6. Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea
Cynthia plays Admiral Kaea in the film. She is known to be a strong naval commander. Moreover, her character is central to the story. She is also a two-time Oscar nominee. It will be interesting to watch her role in the film.
7. Regina King as Queen Nehanda
Regina King is still unconfirmed to play Nehada, the queen. She is a powerful figure in the kingdom. The actress is an Oscar-winning personality. Moreover, she has contributed to films such as If Beale Could Talk and Watchmen.
8. Viola Davis as Mama Agba
Viola will be playing the role of Mama Agba. She is Zélie’s mentor. Mama Agba is responsible for guiding Zélie on her journey. Viola is also an Oscar-winning actress. She has contributed to films such as The Help and Doubt. Furthermore, she is celebrated for her stellar performances.
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9. Idris Elba as Lekan
Idris plays Lekan, who is a priest. He is recognized throughout the kingdom. Moreover, he has a significant role in the story. The actor is a six-time Emmy nominee. He has contributed to films such as Beasts of No Nation and Luther: The Fallen Sun. Also, he is also well-recognized in the industry.
10. Lashana Lynch as Jumoke
Lashana plays Jumoke, another integral character in the film. Jumoke’s roles are yet to be defined. However, Lashana is known for her contribution to several films. Some of them include No Time to Die and The Woman King.
Director and Production Team
Gina Prince-Bythewood is the director of the film. She is known for her work on The Woman King. Her experience with strong female characters makes her a renowned director. Hence, this film too, will have her unique direction as well. Tomi Adeyemi is the author of the novel. The film is adapted from the same. Also, Tomi will be the screenwriter and producer of the film.
Plotline of Children of Blood and Bone
The novel is set in a fictional kingdom called Orisha. Zélie loses her magical birthright. This is due to King Saran’s oppression. The entire kingdom is under this tyranny. However, she embarks on a quest. This involves restoring magic to rescue her people. They are known as the maji.
Along the way, she faces several challenges. Zélie will battle against the ruling class. They are known as the kosidáns. The novel consists of a strong female presence. Moreover, it showcases grief, anger, and loss. It is a powerful reminder of tribe and cultural unity.
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Background of the Project
The film has a long and complicated history. Fox 2000 opted for its adaptation even before the book was released. In 2019, Rick Famuyiwa was announced as the director. However, after Disney acquired Fox, the project shifted to Lucasfilm. Moreover, Kay Oyegun was brought in to write the script.
Tomi Adeyemi had a dream cast in mind. This was when she started writing the novel. She envisioned Viola Davis as Mama Agba. Moreover, she saw Idris Elba as King Saran. However, Elba was given a different role. Nevertheless, his presence will add depth to the film. Overall, Tomi is quite satisfied with the cast so far. She has shown her excitement for all the star casts appointed so far.