Paramount’s ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Is Reportedly One of the Priciest Films of the Decade

Few book-to-screen journeys have been as long and winding as the road to ‘Children of Blood and Bone’. The film rights to Tomi Adeyemi’s novel were optioned by Fox 2000 Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment in March 2017, before the book had even hit shelves, as part of a deal that made headlines for its million-dollar price tag.

After Disney acquired 21st Century Fox and shut down Fox 2000, the project moved to Lucasfilm, where it would have been the studio’s first original live-action film outside ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’. When the rights returned to the market in late 2021, Paramount won a competitive bidding war and secured them in January 2022.

Now the scale of Paramount’s bet is coming into focus. ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ reportedly carries a production budget of $200 million, not including marketing costs, which would place it among the most expensive films of the decade.

That kind of investment shows how seriously the studio is treating the adaptation. Paramount is positioning the fantasy epic as one of its biggest theatrical releases of 2027, with hopes that it could launch a major new franchise.

The budget is reflected in how the film was made. The movie was shot on IMAX, and it will open in theaters, Dolby Cinema, Premium Large Format, and IMAX on January 15, 2027. Filming began in South Africa in April 2025, and the production moved into post-production in April 2026. The film reportedly runs about 2 hours and 26 minutes.

‘CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE’ carries a production budget of $200M not including marketing costs. • One of the most expensive film of the decade • In theaters January 15, 2027. https://t.co/u6wGbSV7Xz

— MovieHub (@moviehubnow) October 13, 2026

Gina Prince-Bythewood, known for ‘The Woman King’ and ‘The Old Guard’, directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Adeyemi, who also serves as an executive producer. Thuso Mbedu leads the film as Zélie, alongside Tosin Cole as her brother Tzain, Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari, and Damson Idris as Prince Inan.

The supporting cast is just as impressive. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays King Saran, Viola Davis is Mama Agba, Cynthia Erivo is Admiral Kaea, Idris Elba is Lekan, Lashana Lynch is Jumoke and Regina King is Queen Nehanda, while Afrobeats star Ayra Starr makes her feature film debut.

Based on the first book in Adeyemi’s Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, a New York Times bestseller released in 2018, the film is set in the fantasy kingdom of Orïsha. It follows a young woman on a quest to reclaim the magic violently stolen from her people.

Go behind the scenes as the world of Orïsha comes to life. Trailer drops TOMORROW. Children Of Blood And Bone – only in theatres January 15, 2027. https://t.co/JJCESGrYYn

— Children of Blood and Bone (@ChildrenofBandB) July 27, 2026

To fight back against the king’s brutal rule, she and her brother form an unlikely alliance with the king’s own children. The story draws on West African influences and blends magic, oppression and rebellion.

Paramount has already been building anticipation. A trailer played exclusively at CinemaCon, and the first official trailer arrived on July 28 following a launch event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

That trailer, set to Beyoncé’s “Energy,” showcased sweeping landscapes, large-scale battles, and supernatural powers. Many fans praised the footage for looking lived-in rather than relying on overly polished CGI.

From visionary filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, the world of Orïsha comes to life. Watch the Official Trailer for Children Of Blood And Bone – only in theatres and IMAX January 15, 2027. https://t.co/LCzUYxbLwG

— Children of Blood and Bone (@ChildrenofBandB) July 28, 2026

The adaptation hasn’t been free of complications. Reports of tension between Adeyemi and the production have drawn attention, with some commentators arguing that public disagreements could put a project of this size at risk.

When Paramount acquired the rights, Adeyemi secured a seven-figure screenwriting deal and an executive producer role, with a deal covering the full trilogy on the table. That means the stakes extend well beyond a single film.

With a reported $200 million budget, the pressure on the film’s box office performance will be significant. Releasing a massive fantasy epic in the middle of winter is a bold move, but Paramount is clearly betting audiences will be eager to escape into Orïsha. If the film succeeds, it could pave the way for adaptations of the rest of the trilogy. If it stumbles, it would be one of the costliest gambles of the decade.

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