“Children of Blood and Bone” Wraps 74-Day Shoot Across Spain and South Africa

Production has wrapped on Paramount Pictures’ upcoming adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone,” the acclaimed debut novel by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi.

The film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, concluded a 74-day shoot across two countries and two islands, including locations in Spain and Cape Town, South Africa.

Prince-Bythewood announced the milestone on Instagram on Tuesday, calling it the end of an intense and rewarding shoot. “That’s a wrap on production. 74 days, two countries and two islands, a passionate and dedicated crew and an extraordinary cast who gave everything. The journey has just begun,” she wrote.

Set in a world inspired by Yoruba culture and pre-colonial Nigeria, “Children of Blood and Bone” follows the story of Zélie, a young girl fighting to restore magic to her people after it is wiped out by a ruthless monarchy. The novel, the first in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, was a breakout success and cultural touchstone when it debuted in 2018.

South African actress Thuso Mbedu leads the film as Zélie, joined by a cast that includes Tosin Cole, Damson Idris, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amandla Stenberg, Ayra Starr, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Shamz Garuba, Pamilerin Ayodeji, Temi Fagbenle, and Kola Banjo. The ensemble is further bolstered by Hollywood heavyweights Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, and Regina King.

To prepare for their roles, the cast underwent extensive physical training, strength conditioning, and dialect coaching to accurately reflect the Yoruba-inspired language and setting of Orïsha.

Filming began in February 2025 and wrapped in late May, with several cast members sharing reflections on their experiences. Pamilerin Ayodeji, who was selected from an open casting call in Nigeria, posted on Instagram: “Came, saw and conquered. It has been an intense three months that words can’t fully capture—my experiences, the amazing people and travel… to the cities that hosted me, thank you. To God who gifted me the talents, grace and a relentless support system, thank you. It’s a wrappp.”

Adeyemi serves as both screenwriter and executive producer on the project, overseeing the long-anticipated adaptation of her work. After years of development delays and changes in studios, the film is now officially slated for theatrical release on January 15, 2027.

With principal photography now complete, post-production begins on what is expected to be one of the most ambitious fantasy films in recent memory. As Prince-Bythewood noted, while the cameras have stopped rolling, “the journey has just begun.”