- King Saran violently stripped magic from the maji people, killing Zélie’s mother and countless others to maintain control.
- Zélie forms an unlikely alliance with Princess Amari and her brother Tzain to lead a rebellion against the crown.
- Grammy-winner Tems curates the soundtrack with African artists like Burna Boy and Ayra Starr, blending music with the film’s cultural narrative.
The magic of Orïsha is casting its spell once again with a star-studded new trailer.
Paramount Pictures is conjuring up more cinematic magic with the latest spellbinding preview of Children Of Blood And Bone, the highly anticipated fantasy epic featuring Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Viola Davis and a constellation of Hollywood heavyweights, all set to the soothing sounds of Tems.
Released Thursday, Nov. 12, the latest preview offers another enchanting glimpse into the mystical kingdom of Orïsha, where supernatural powers, royal rivalries and an extraordinary heroine’s destiny collide in a battle to reclaim stolen magic.
Based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling 2018 novel, the film follows Zélie Adebola (Mbedu), a courageous young woman determined to restore the magic violently stripped from her people by a ruthless monarchy.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who co-wrote the screenplay with Adeyemi, the ambitious adaptation blends West African mythology, magnificent world-building and stunning sorcery to bring one of contemporary fantasy’s most celebrated stories to the big screen.
‘Children Of Blood And Bone’ Trailer Teases A Magical Mission, A Ruthless King & A Kingdom On The Brink Of Battle
In the fantastical world of Orïsha, magic once again flows freely through the land, granting gifted inhabitants known as maji extraordinary abilities. But that mystical existence comes to a devastating end when King Saran (Chiwetel Ejiofor) launches a violent campaign against the maji, stripping them of their powers and killing countless members of their community.
Among those killed is Zélie’s mother, Jumoke (Lashana Lynch), a powerful Reaper whose supernatural abilities allow her to summon souls.
The ruthless ruler makes his disdain for magic clear in the new trailer, declaring it a dangerous threat to his kingdom.
“Magic is a fatal festering disease,” he warns. “We cannot let it take over our kingdom again.”
But Zélie refuses to accept the king’s cruelty.
“You cannot kill an entire people,” she declares.
“You can do whatever you want when you’re king,” the King responds.
Years later, as Orïsha teeters on the brink of rebellion, Zélie prepares for the fight of her life, training with weapons and sharpening her combat skills under the guidance of Mama Agba (Viola Davis), a mentor who recognizes her extraordinary potential.
“Promise me, you’ll choose the right moment to fight,” Mama Agba advises in the trailer.
That moment draws closer when Zélie encounters Princess Amari (Amandla Stenberg), the king’s daughter, and protects her from armed guards.
The princess reveals that her father killed her best friend for using magic and warns Zélie that the lives of her people remain in danger as long as the king’s anti-magic crusade continues.
Rather than stand by her father’s oppressive rule, Amari offers to join the resistance.
“I can help you fight back,” she tells Zélie in the trailer.
Their unlikely alliance, alongside Zélie’s brother Tzain (Tosin Cole), sets the stage for a spellbinding showdown between the monarchy and the magical inhabitants determined to reclaim their stolen powers.
But their journey is anything but enchanted, and the royal family’s forces aren’t about to surrender without a fight.
“That girl has the ability to annihilate us all,” warns Admiral Kaea (Cynthia Erivo) who gets a stern warning from Queen Nehanda Olúborí ((Regina King).
“Not against me,” says Crown Prince Inan (Damson Idris), who’s determined to stop Zélie before she can restore magic to Orïsha.
As the kingdom’s inhabitants prepare for battle, the footage features combat, mystical powers, and a growing rebellion against the crown.
Tems Conjures Up Musical Magic With ‘African Love Story’ & Star-Studded Soundtrack
Adding to the movie’s musical mystique, the trailer features snippets of “African Love Story,” a new song written and performed by Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, who also serves as executive music producer of the film’s original motion picture soundtrack.
The Nigerian singer-songwriter also wrote and performs the soundtrack’s lead single, “African Love Story,” which will be released Nov. 20 through RCA Records and can be heard throughout the new trailer.
And Tems isn’t the only musical powerhouse lending her talents to Orïsha, as the soundtrack’s newly announced guest artists include:
- Tems
- Burna Boy, who also serves as the film’s executive music consultant
- Fireboy DML
- BNXM
- Kold AF
- Ayra Starr
- Obongjayar
- Moelogo
- Daecolm
- Pa Salieu
- Show Dem Camp
- Moonchild Sanelly
Fans can pre-save Tems’ “African Love Story” here ahead of its Nov. 20 release.
