The energy inside the Brooklyn Academy of Music was electric on Monday night as guests gathered for the trailer launch of Children of Blood and Bone, an upcoming fantasy film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood.
The evening featured an exclusive screening of the trailer and a special Q&A moderated by Lena Waithe. Prince-Bythewood spoke about why she decided to direct the film after turning down the offer twice over the last seven years.
“I think I was both not emotionally ready, and I think actually I didn’t know how to make this yet,” she revealed.
However, after the success of The Woman King, her stance shifted. “I just felt so connected to this young hero who’s fighting to find her purpose, and I was willing to fight for that,” Prince-Bythewood said.
During the talk, the director also announced Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer Tems as the executive music producer of the film’s soundtrack. Burna Boy was also announced as the film’s executive music consultant.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 27: (L-R) Lena Waithe, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Regina King, Lashana Lynch, and Zackary Momoh speak onstage during the “Children of Blood and Bone” Trailer Launch Event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on July 27, 2026, in New York, New York. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
They were later joined on stage by cast members Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Lashana Lynch, Zackary Momoh, and Regina King, who each talked about the preparation process for their characters and and their experience filming in South Africa.The cast echoed Prince-Bythewood’s vision, reflecting on how the film’s themes of identity, ancestry, and purpose resonated beyond the fantasy world of Orïsha.
Thuso reflected on the personal significance of playing Zélie, the main character of the adaptation, and the impact of being part of such a major project. “This wasn’t something that I should have been able to achieve considering where I come from,” she said.
When asked what drew her to the project, King cited representation as one of the many reasons. “We don’t get the opportunity that often to see girls be heroes and fall in love and kick ass and be sensitive,” she said.
After the captivating discussion, a reception followed, where guests could mingle with the cast, executives and industry insiders and grab some drinks and delicious bites.
Based on the award-winning novel by Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Blood and Bone takes place in the epic fantasy world of Orïsha and follows Zélie Adebola (Thuso Mbedu), her brother Tzain (Tosin Cole), and runaway Princess Amari (Amandla Stenberg) as they race to restore magic to the kingdom while being hunted by crown prince Inan (Damson Idris).
Damson Idris plays Inan and Cynthia Erivo plays Commander Kaea in Children of Blood and Bone from Paramount Pictures. | PHOTO CREDIT LEPHATSE MOTSHANA COURTESY OF © 2026 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The rest of the star-studded cast include Academy Award® winner Viola Davis, Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr, Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo, Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba and more.
Before the night came to an end, Prince-Bythwood left the crowd with parting words: “So much is going on in the world right now, and there are so many themes within this that speak to that. I hope that’s what people leave all my films with: understanding what I’m trying to say, but also leaving with hope.”
Children of Blood and Bone is in theaters January 15, 2027.
