The upcoming film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone has added Zackary Momoh, Saniyya Sidney, and six other actors to its cast, Deadline reports.
Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel, published by Henry Holt in 2018, follows Zélie, a teenage girl in the kingdom of Orïsha who is determined to bring back magic to the land after a king tries to eradicate it. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus called the book—the first in a trilogy—“powerful, captivating, and raw” as well as “exceptional.”
Momoh, known for his roles in the films Harriet and Doctor Sleep, will join the cast alongside Sidney (Fences, Hidden Figures), Pamilerin Ayodeji (Gangs of Lagos), Richard Mofe-Damijo (Revelations), Shamz Garuba (Red Circle), Kola Bodunde (Dead Fun), singer-songwriter Ayra Starr, and Golden State Valkyries basketball player Temi Fagbenle.
The actors join previously announced cast members including Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film will be directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Prince-Bythewood and Adeyemi.
Sidney reacted to the announcement of her casting on Instagram, writing, “So honored to be a part of this cast to bring one of my favorite books to life. I’m so grateful to be in the world of COBB!”
Garuba also shared news of the casting announcement on the platform, writing, “I am beyond grateful and humbled to be joining the cast of children of blood and bone. I’m thankful for the opportunity to share this journey with such talented and inspiring people.
We are creating magic and I can’t wait for the world to experience it.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
