Meet the cast of your next big fantasy obsession, “Children of Blood and Bone”

Meet your next fantasy obsession, the Children of Blood and Bone film adaptation, which has officially unveiled its star-studded cast.

The YA book by young author Tomi Adeyemi in 2018 became an instant smash hit, debuting at No. 1 on the New York Times young-adult best-seller list, receiving a seven-figure deal for the movie rights, and taking the world by storm. The story has exciting parallels to the Harry Potter and Hunger Games franchises, with one major, exciting difference: it's about Black characters and stars an all-Black cast.

Set in a mythical African fantasy kingdom named Orïsha, the story follows a young woman, Zélie, who is a member of the group known as the maji, citizens who had special powers before the king attempted to rid the world of magic. When she discovers a way to bring those powers back, and, in turn, help the former maji, who have been disenfranchised and mistreated, she goes on a quest with her brother to ally with the daughter and son of the tyrannical king to fight back against his brutal rule.

"Every story I wrote [when I was younger], the protagonists were white or biracial because, somewhere along the line, I’d come to believe Black people couldn’t be in stories," author Adeyemi told Entertainment Weekly in 2018. "I was writing these magical adventures that I wanted to have, but I didn’t think I could have those adventures and look like myself." Raised on Harry Potter and other fantasies with predominantly white ensembles, she ultimately developed her mission as a storyteller: "Write a story that’s so good and so Black that everyone’s going to have to read it — even if they’re racist."

That's how she came up with Children of Blood and Bone, a sweeping fantasy epic about Black characters that doubles as a smart allegory about the modern Black experience, including commentary on institutional issues surrounding race, police brutality, and colorism. The story spawned two sequels, Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Children of Anguish and Anarchy, and the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy spent a combined 175 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. And now, it's set to become the next big fantasy film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King).

So whether you haven't read Children of Blood and Bone yet (what are you waiting for?!) or you need a quick refresher, here's a guide on who all the characters are and who will play them in the movie:

Related: Read an excerpt from Tomi Adeyemi's epic YA fantasy Children of Blood and Bone

Zélie

Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King) will star as the young girl from a poor family in the village of Eloirin, who lost her mother during the Raid (the time when the King and his soldiers abolished magic and killed as many maji as possible).

Amari

Amandla Stenberg (The Acolyte) will play the princess of Orïsha who hates the violence her family has wrought against the maji, and decides to work with Zélie to bring magic back.

Inan

Damson Idris (Snowfall) landed the role of Amari's brother, a.k.a. the prince of Orïsha, who is charged with stopping the children from restoring magic — and bringing them to justice.

Tzain

Tosin Cole (Supacell) will play Zélie's very protective older brother, who goes on the quest to restore magic.

Mama Agba

Viola Davis (The Woman King, How to Get Away With Murder) will portray the fierce mentor and fight instructor for the young girls of Eloirin, Zélie's home village.

Related: Tomi Adeyemi previews Children of Anguish and Anarchy, her long-awaited trilogy finale

Admiral Kaea

Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) will play the head of Inan's army. She is is one of the top maji-haters.

Lekan

Idris Elba (The Wire, Luther) will bring to life the heroic man who is the last high priest of the maji remaining after the Raid.

Jumoke

Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel, The Woman King) will play Zélie and Tzain's mother who was part of the Ikú Clan, a.k.a. Reapers (magical people who can access and manipulate the spirits of the living and the dead).

King Saran

Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) will portray the tyrannical king who is also Amari and Inan's father. The hated royal has a murderous streak and a taste for revenge against anyone with magical powers.

Related: Children of Blood and Bone guide: Everything you need to know

Queen Nehanda

Regina King (Watchmen, If Beale Street Could Talk) is currently in talks to play the cruel and ruthless queen of Orïsha, who also hates maji.

Folake

Diaana Babnicova (Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot) is also currently in talks to play the young, rule-following divîner (a.k.a. maji under 13 who are still waiting to get access to their power).

Binta

Bukky Bakray (Rocks) is also currently in talks to play Amari's best friend and palace servant.

More castings will be announced at a later date from an open casting call for actors living in Nigeria. Production is set to begin filming in South Africa in the coming weeks.

Children of Blood and Bone is slated for a Jan. 15, 2027 release in IMAX.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly