'The Acolyte' Star's New Fantasy Adaptation Officially Takes Over NYCC With Rian Johnson [Exclusive]

Fantasy novel fans have been enjoying a good couple of years, and it's only just beginning. The Lord of the Rings universe made a big comeback with Prime Video's The Rings of Power (which has a third season on the horizon, not to mention Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis' return to the franchise with The Hunt for Gollum), Percy Jackson and the Olympians fans finally got the adaptation they've been waiting for, and Harry Potter is set for a full reboot thanks to HBO Max. But those are all the heavy hitters that everyone already knows and loves, and perhaps it's time for a beloved fantasy novel to get its time to shine.

At long last, Children of Blood and Bone will officially hit the big screen in early 2027 after years in development hell. Finally, fans will get to see Zélie Adebola (Thuso Mbedu) and her story on the biggest screen possible, and with one of the biggest casts of 2027 that includes Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and many, many more. Marketing for the movie kicked off earlier this year with the first official trailer, but now, Paramount is taking an even bigger step to get fans to hit theaters this January.

Paramount is officially bringing Children of Blood and Bone to New York Comic Con this weekend on October 10, 2026, with a massive lineup of the film's stars confirmed to be in attendance. The list includes Amandla Stenberg (The Acolyte), Thuso Mbedu (Mufasa: The Lion King), Damson Idris (F1: The Movie), Tosin Cole, Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Backrooms), and writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), but that's not all. Collider can exclusively reveal that the upcoming NYCC panel will be moderated by none other than Rian Johnson, the mastermind of the Knives Out trilogy and the filmmaker behind Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi.

What Is 'Children of Blood and Bone' About?

Taking place in the fictional African region of Orïsha, Children of Blood and Bone tells the fantastical story of Zélie, a young woman who once flourished in the magical world. That all changed when Orïsha's magic disappeared in an instant, giving an evil king the opportunity to rise amid the chaos. With the world now one filled with corruption and power, Zélie embarks on a perilous quest to bring magic back to Orïsha once and for all.