Paramount Debuts Children of Blood and Bone Trailer at CinemaCon
Paramount presented the first trailer for the fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The movie, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, adapts Tomi Adeyemi's 2018 novel set in a fictional African kingdom. It features a cast including Thuso Mbedu, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and others, with a theatrical release planned for January.
variety.comParamount debuted the first trailer for its upcoming fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone at CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners in Las Vegas on April 16, 2026. The film is based on the 2018 novel by Tomi Adeyemi, set in the fictional kingdom of Orisha where magic users possess abilities to manipulate elements like water, fire, wind, and earth, or to heal and see into the past or future.
Film Details Gina
Prince-Bythewood directs the movie, her first since The Woman King in 2022.
The story follows Zelie, played by Thuso Mbedu, a magic user who can command undead spirits and seeks to end the suppression of magic by the ruthless king, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The trailer, shown exclusively at CinemaCon, depicts the divided clans of Orisha and Zelie's efforts to reunite them against the king's rule of terror. The film is scheduled for release in theaters and IMAX.
Cast and Production
The cast includes Tosin Cole as Zelie's brother Tzain, Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari, Damson Idris as Prince Inan, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and Regina King in key roles.
Several actors, including Thuso Mbedu, Viola Davis, and Lashana Lynch, previously starred in Gina Prince-Bythewood's The Woman King. The production involved shooting in various locations across Africa and building physical sets rather than relying solely on CGI.
Story Timeline
5 events- Apr 16, 4:02 PM ET
2 new sources added: Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter
2 sourcesDeadline · The Hollywood Reporter - Apr 16, 2026
Paramount debuted the first trailer for Children of Blood and Bone at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
3 sourcesVariety · DiscussingFilm - 2024
Tomi Adeyemi published the final book in the trilogy, Children of Anguish and Anarchy.
1 sourceVariety - 2019
Tomi Adeyemi released the second book, Children of Virtue and Vengeance.
1 sourceVariety - 2018
Tomi Adeyemi's novel Children of Blood and Bone debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
1 sourceVariety
Potential Impact
- 01
The trailer debut boosts anticipation for Paramount's January film slate.
- 02
CinemaCon attendees influence theater bookings for the fantasy epic.
- 03
The film contributes to diversity in fantasy genre representations in Hollywood.
- 04
Increased interest in Tomi Adeyemi's book series drives sales of the trilogy.
- 05
Cast members gain visibility for future projects from the high-profile reveal.
- 06
Paramount sees potential uptick in partnerships for African-themed productions.
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