As 'Children of Blood and Bone' trailer drops, director tells why she turned down the film twice

The trailer for the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone is out, and director Gina Prince-Bythewood is opening up about her path to the project. Despite the current excitement, she shared that she actually turned down the directing offer twice over the last seven years. She admits she was not emotionally prepared to handle an epic fantasy of this scale when the first two offers came across her desk.

Following the production of The Woman King, Prince-Bythewood felt more equipped to take on the challenge. She noted that the third offer arrived at the right moment, allowing her to connect deeply with the story of Zélie Adebola and her search for purpose. The film is set to release on January 15 and features a high-profile cast including Regina King, Damson Idris, and Viola Davis.

While the project is moving forward, the production has faced public tension. Author Tomi Adeyemi has publicly distanced herself from the film following a casting controversy involving Amandla Stenberg. Despite this, Prince-Bythewood remains focused on her vision for the adaptation, stating she wants the film to reflect the humanity of the African diaspora through the lens of fantasy. The project aims to bring a new perspective to the big screen when it hits theaters early next year.