Gina Prince-Bythewood & Costume Designer Charlese Antoinette Jones Bring Children of Blood and Bone to Life in Stunning First Look
Last night’s preview event for Children of Blood and Bone wasn’t just a first look—it was an experience that stayed with me long after I left.
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Based on Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, the story unfolds in a richly imagined, West African-inspired world where magic has been brutally suppressed by a ruthless king. Seeing that world begin to come to life on screen felt surreal—and honestly, I walked out of the footage screening genuinely excited for what’s to come.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: (L-R) Gina Prince-Bythewood and Luvvie Ajayi attend the “Children of Blood and Bone” Sneak Peek Footage Event at Paramount Pictures Studios on April 09, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: (L-R) Gina Prince-Bythewood and Nischelle Turner speak during the “Children of Blood and Bone” Sneak Peek Footage Event at Paramount Pictures Studios on April 09, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: (L-R) Charlese Antoinette, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu attend the “Children of Blood and Bone” Sneak Peek Footage Event at Paramount Pictures Studios on April 09, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: (L-R) Charlese Antoinette, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu attend the “Children of Blood and Bone” Sneak Peek Footage Event at Paramount Pictures Studios on April 09, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: (L-R) Michael Blackbear Uwandi, Phil Boutte, Thuso Mbedu and Aldis Hodge attend the “Children of Blood and Bone” Sneak Peek Footage Event at Paramount Pictures Studios on April 09, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: Charlese Antoinette attends the “Children of Blood and Bone” Sneak Peek Footage Event at Paramount Pictures Studios on April 09, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the film already feels both intimate and epic in scope. From what was shown, there’s a clear emotional core driving the story, grounded in themes of resilience, identity, and power.
One of the standout moments of the night was getting to see the costumes up close, designed by Charlese Antoinette Jones. They were absolutely stunning in person—rich in detail, texture, and symbolism. You could immediately see how much care went into translating the essence of the book onto screen. It didn’t feel like an adaptation—it felt like the world of Orïsha had fully come to life.
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We were also treated to exclusive footage featuring the film’s incredible cast, the real life Avengers! Thuso Mbedu leads as Zélie, bringing a powerful presence to the role, alongside Tosin Cole as Tzain. Amandla Stenberg steps into the role of Princess Amari, with Damson Idris as Prince Inan, adding emotional weight to the royal storyline.
The ensemble is stacked, with Lashana Lynch, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and Regina Kingall bringing serious gravitas to the film, alongside rising talents like Bukky Bakray and Diaana Babnicova.
But more than anything, it was the feeling walking out of that room after seeing the footage. There was this sense that something special is being built here, a fantasy world that honors its roots while delivering something visually stunning and emotionally real.
I left the event genuinely excited to see this story fully come to life and if last night was any indication, Children of Blood and Bone is going to be worth the wait.
