People on social media are having strong emotions about the casting choices for the movie adaptation of 'Children of Blood and Bone'.

Fans may be let down, but this is a major victory for Black fantasy movies.

January 25th 2025.

People on social media are having strong emotions about the casting choices for the movie adaptation of 'Children of Blood and Bone'.
The highly-anticipated cast for Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling novel, Children of Blood and Bone, has finally been revealed. Fans were overjoyed to learn that Idris Elba and Viola Davis will be leading the star-studded ensemble. Joining them are the talented Cynthia Erivo, Damson Idris, and Thuso Mbedu, who is known for her exceptional work in The Woman King and Castlevania: Nocturne.

The author herself took to TikTok to announce the full cast for the highly-anticipated film adaptation of her Legacy of Orisha trilogy. The excitement was palpable as social media was flooded with reactions from eager fans. Ever since the release of the first book in 2018, readers have been eagerly waiting for the next two installments and hoping for a big-screen adaptation.

One of the reasons for the immense anticipation surrounding this film is its rich representation of African culture, specifically Nigerian culture and Yoruba mythology. Adeyemi masterfully weaves in these elements with a well-developed magic system and stunning Black imagery, making it a source of pride and joy for many readers who see themselves reflected in the story.

However, not everyone is completely satisfied with the casting choices. Some fans have expressed disappointment over the lack of Nigerian representation in the main roles, as most of the actors are American or British. One social media user even went as far as to call the cast a "joke" and accused the author of betraying her promise of an open casting call.

Another issue that has been brought up is the casting of Amandla Stenberg as Amari. Some fans feel that her lighter complexion does not align with the character's experience with colorism, as depicted in the book. This has sparked a larger conversation about the limited representation and opportunities for darker-skinned actors in the film industry.

One potential solution suggested by a fan is to have future Black fantasy epics be animated, citing the success of Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse and its representation of a Black protagonist. This would not only avoid the issues of casting but also open up more opportunities for Black creatives in the animation industry.

Despite these criticisms, there is still a lot of excitement and anticipation for Children of Blood and Bone. Many fans are thrilled to see so much Black talent coming together to bring this magical world to life on the big screen. And as one fan put it, this film is exactly what we need – a beautiful Black fantasy sci-fi epic filled with Black excellence.

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