One thing became clear during the exclusive Children of Blood and Bone trailer launch event in Brooklyn, New York last night: Gina Prince-Bythewood knew the music had to be as powerful as the story.
The acclaimed writer and director revealed that she listened fervently to Tems and Burna Boy during her creative process. “They were so intrinsic to my writing; they have to be on the soundtrack. But further, I want Tems to curate our soundtrack; I want her to EP,” Prince-Bythewood said of the artist working as one of the first women to executive produce a movie soundtrack of this caliber. “She put together an epic soundtrack, no skips.” Along with three new songs from Tems, Burna Boy serves as the film’s executive music consultant.
The soundtrack announcement was just one of several revelations during the evening, emceed by Lena Waithe—who once worked as Prince-Bythewood’s assistant—as the cast and filmmakers offered an inside look at bringing Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling African fantasy novel to the big screen, including that it took several opportunities before Prince-Bythewood agreed to helm the director’s chair.
“I was actually offered this film two different times over the last seven years, and both times I turned it down. I think I was both not emotionally ready, and I think actually I didn’t know how to make this yet,” she revealed.
But after her success with The Woman King, “I knew how to make this film,” she stated.
The newly unveiled trailer showcases the sweeping world of Adeyemi’s first novel, introducing audiences to a magical African kingdom where a brave heroine fights to restore magic and challenge oppression in the kingdom of Orïsha.
“I just felt so connected to this young hero who’s fighting to find her purpose and was willing to fight for that,” Prince-Bythewood said. “Just so much is going on in the world right now, and there are so many themes within this that speak to that.”
Several cast members—including Thuso Mbedu, Tosin Cole, Regina King, Lashana Lynch and her real-life husband Zackary Momoh (they play parents in the film)—joined Prince-Bythewood onstage to reflect on the film’s impact and what it was like collaborating with the celebrated filmmaker.
As King predicted that audiences will return to the film again and again to fully absorb its power, Prince-Bythewood shared what she hopes viewers ultimately take away: “For us to have a platform where we can tell stories to say something to the world, I hope that’s what people leave all my films with: understanding what I’m trying to say, but also leave with hope.”
Children of Blood and Bone premieres Jan. 15, 2027.