Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy series, Legacy of Orïsha, begins with Children of Blood and Bone, a book that’s well on its way to being brought to life onscreen. Adeyemi’s series is one of my favorite contemporary YA fantasy novels, consistently tackling storylines and relationships as skillfully as any work of adult fiction. When I heard that Paramount was developing a movie based on the novels, I didn’t think I could get any more excited. However, the recent announcements about who has been tapped to star in the film have already raised my high expectations (via The Hollywood Reporter).

The Children of Blood and Bone movie cast is one of the most exciting ensembles of the past few years. Fantasy has been having a renaissance on television, but Children of Blood and Bone could be the film we need to bring audiences back to the theaters. Adeyemi’s story follows the protagonist, Zélie​​​​​, as she embarks on a quest to bring magic back to the people of Orïsha, drawing upon West African mythology. While fantasy fans like me were already going to see Children of Blood and Bone, this casting news makes me excited for the future.

Children Of Blood & Bone’s Movie Cast Is One Of The Best Fantasy Ensembles Of Recent Years

These actors might come to define a new era of fantasy cinema

There are many great characters in Adeyemi’s work, providing rich and complex roles for these actors to take on. As always, I’ll be interested to see how the actors compare with the versions of the characters I imagined while reading the books, but I have a great feeling about these amazing performers. Paramount has tapped veteran actors like Viola Davis, who recently proved how well she fits into the YA fantasy landscape with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Thuso Mbedu being cast as Zélie is also ideal, as Mbedu is recognizable but still early in her career.

Other major casting announcements include Amandla Stenberg as Amari, Tosin Cole as Tzain, and Damson Idris as Inan. With Idris Elba also involved and Regina King currently in talks to join the cast, this achieves a balance of including big stars alongside lesser-known performers I’ve been waiting to see in their breakout roles. It’s now clear that Disney made a mistake in giving up the rights to Children of Blood and Bone, as Paramount is likely looking at a major hit. Many of these performers wouldn’t have joined the cast if they didn’t feel it would be a success.

With Such A Great Cast, It’s Hard To See How Children Of Blood & Bone Can Fail

Adding big names to the cast paves the way for Children of Blood and Bone to be a blockbuster

The fact that the cast is already so strong and Gina Prince-Bythewood is slated to direct makes me wonder how Children of Blood and Bone could possibly fail. Of course, it’s impossible to know how the movie landscape will change in the next few years, and there are many extraneous factors that the studios and creative teams can’t control. However, when it comes to the elements they have power over, it seems that Paramount, Prince-Bythewood, and Adeyemi have all been working together to ensure that the series gets the faithful adaptation it deserves.

Sometimes fantasy movies don’t connect with audiences if the story is too outlandish and viewers can’t easily relate the narrative to their own lives. While Adeyemi’s story is immersive and instantly grabs the reader, I know that sometimes it can be difficult to translate this emotional appeal to the screen. This puts a lot of pressure on the actors to communicate the stakes, world-building, and complex relationships that are more easily described in book format. However, I know these performers are up to the challenge.

Children Of Blood & Bone Needs More Than A Great Cast To Succeed (But It’s A Very Strong Start)

While the cast isn’t the only part of the movie that matters, it sets the film up for success

Adapting any book to the screen can be risky. I’ve seen plenty of great works lose momentum while others have become classics, like The Hunger Games. Plenty of young adult movie franchises have been canceled before they could truly find their footing, but the upcoming adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone doesn’t have to face the same fate. Fortunately, Children of Blood and Bone is already off to a strong start, as the cast not only has name recognition and star power, but the actors are all talented and able to carry the complex story of the books.

I only became more invested in Adeyemi’s work as the series progressed. Each novel introduces something new and expands upon the story effectively. Leaning into the inherent intrigue of the narrative will be an important facet of the movie. The series already has a significant following from YA readers and adult audiences alike, and I know that many viewers will watch the film even if they haven’t read the books. Children of Blood and Bone is still in the early stages of production, but if the cast is any indicator, I feel confident that the story is in good hands.