The film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s YA novel will hit theaters on Jan. 15, 2027.

Children of Blood and Bone movie debuts first footage at CinemaCon with Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and more

The film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's YA novel will hit theaters on Jan. 15, 2027.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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April 16, 2026 4:11 p.m. ET

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Cynthia Erivo in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Dec. 4, 2025; Viola Davis in Los Angeles on March 1, 2026. Credit:

Kevin Winter/Getty; Neilson Barnard/Getty

*Children of Blood and Bone* is bringing the magic to CinemaCon.

Gina Prince-Bythewood's adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's hit 2018 novel debuted its first footage during Paramount's presentation at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Set in the fictional African kingdom of Orïsha, the trailer introduced Thuso Mbedu as protagonist Zélie Adebola, a member of the white-haired group known as the maji, citizens who had special powers before King Saran (Chiwetel Ejiofor) rid the world of magic (or so he thinks). We meet Zélie, living under the king's oppressive rule, secretly training to become a warrior under the tutelage of her mother, Mama Agba (Viola Davis), a former powerful maji.

The story kicks off when Zélie meets Amari (Amandla Stenberg), a runaway who turns out to be a princess, the daughter of King Saran. Amari has stolen a sacred scroll that holds the key to restoring magic in Orïsha. Zélie, her older brother Tzain (Tosin Cole), and Amari then team up on a mission to help the maji rediscover their powers.

Damson Idris in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026; Amandla Stenberg in London on May 28, 2024.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Mike Marsland/WireImage

On the orders of the king, they're hunted by Amari’s brother, Inan (Damson Idris), the crown prince, who is torn between loyalty to his father and his growing realization that the kingdom’s cruelty is unjust.

"Show no mercy, show me you want to be king," King Saran urges Inan in the trailer.

"That is not the kind of king I want to be," he shoots back.

Another scene shows Inan and Zélie seemingly developing feelings for each other. "You have unraveled me," he tells her as they swim together in a grove.

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The action-packed teaser also gives a sneak peek at some epic battle scenes, including Zélie rediscovering her magical ability to summon the spirits of the dead, which she unleashes on her enemies.

Several members of the stacked ensemble appeared onstage to promote the film, including Mbedu, Stenberg, Idris, Regina King, and Ejiofor. They each took turns explaining why they wanted to join the project.

"Movies like this don't come often. It was time for me to be a king," Ejiofor said.

"Black girls deserve to see themselves in a world of wonder, power, and imagination. It was an easy 'yes' for me," King added.

Thuso Mbedu in New York on Sept. 4, 2025; Tosin Cole in London on Dec. 1, 2025.

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty; Joe Maher/Getty

The film also stars Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kaea, Lashana Lynch as Jumoke, and Idris Elba as Lekan. Davis and Lynch previously worked with Prince-Bythewood on 2022's *The Woman King*.

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*Children of Blood and Bone* will debut in theaters on Jan. 15, 2027. For more on the biggest revelations from CinemaCon, read our recaps of day 1, day 2, and day 3 here.

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