Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr is gearing up for her Hollywood debut in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, a 2018 young adult fantasy novel by Nigerian American author Tomi Adeyemi.
The book, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller, has been adapted into a major American fantasy film after Adeyemi signed a lucrative seven-figure deal with Fox Studios. Filming for the movie kicked off earlier this year in South Africa, with Paramount Pictures set to release it in theaters across the U.S. on January 15, 2027.
In a recent Instagram post, Adeyemi shared exciting updates about the film’s growing ensemble cast, which now includes Ayra Starr, alongside Nigerian icons Richard Mofe-Damijo and Pamilerin Ayodeji, as well as Shamz Garuba, Zackary Momoh, Kola Bodunde, and rising star Saniyya Sidney. Also joining the cast is British Nigerian basketball player Temi Fagbenle.
The film’s star-studded roster continued to expand earlier this year, with the additions of Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Tosin Cole, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, and Viola Davis, all confirmed in January 2025.
Casting for the film began to take shape in November 2024 when director Gina Prince-Bythewood issued a casting call for young male and female actors, ages 10 to mid-20s, based in Nigeria.
Children of Blood and Bone follows Zélie Adebola, a young woman on a perilous journey to restore magic to her kingdom of Orïsha. Set in a world where the magic-wielding class is oppressed by a brutal ruling system, Zélie’s story is a poignant mix of fantasy, action, and social justice themes.
Adeyemi, an English literature graduate from Harvard University, has already made a significant mark in the literary world. She secured a fellowship to study West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil, further fueling her passion for bringing these rich traditions into her work. Her debut novel’s success continues to propel her career, and now, with the film adaptation underway, her global influence is set to soar.
