It’s official: Paramount Pictures will be the studio to take fans on a journey to Orïsha. The studio just won a competitive bidding war for the rights to Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy trilogy, Children of Blood and Bone.
Deadline reports multiple studios including Netflix, Universal, and Amazon bid to adapt Adeyemi’s popular books. (So popular, in fact, that the third book in the trilogy isn’t even out until 2023. But the studios are gunning for the rights to it anyways.) Reportedly, Paramount’s winning deal included a guaranteed theatrical release for the films, as well as allowing Adeyemi to provide special creative approvals.
“Paramount’s passion and enthusiasm to bring this story to life has been incredible. We are all so excited for this new chapter, and are already hard at work,” said Adeyemi.
Children of Blood and Bone took the YA fantasy world by storm in 2018. Influenced by Adeyemi’s West African heritage, the series paints an epic fantasy world, while weaving in themes of injustice, descrimination, and familial and romantic love. The series follows Zélie as she attempts to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha after the ruling class brutally suppresses those who practice magic.
“Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone has not only become a phenomenon in the YA world, it has transformed every expectation of what world-building fantasy can be,” said Paramount Co-President Daria Cercek. “It’s with enormous pride that our studio, along with Tomi and our partners Wyck, Marty and Karen, set out to bring this franchise to life on the big screen. With its thought-provoking and timely themes, we know that this story will resonate with a global audience.”
Children of Blood and Bone debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, and topped many other best-of lists from Buzzfeed to TIME magazine. Its sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, also debuted at #1 on the NYT Bestseller list. The final novel in the trilogy will publish in 2023.
So, are you excited to see Children of Blood and Bone come to life on screen? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Deadline
