Dope director Rick Famuyiwa has been chosen to helm Fox 2000’s upcoming adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone. The New York Times bestselling young adult novel was the first in a trilogy written by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi. It was published in March of 2018 and the film rights were sold before the book even hit shelves. The second installment, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, is set for release this June.

Children of Blood and Bone is a West African inspired fantasy epic that takes place in the once magical land of Orïsha. Zelie Adebola has grown up in land very different than the one in which her parents were raised, witnessing her mother's death, as well as that of the other magi, due to a royal decree from the King. Years later, she must team up with a princess on the run, all the while avoiding capture by a ruthless prince. She has the chance to restore magic to her home or forever lose the opportunity, and what follows is an incredible and harrowing journey, action-packed and full of twists and turns. Adeyemi, just 23 when the rights sold for seven figures, pitched the book as an "African Last Airbender" and "Black Panther with magic.”

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THR reports that Dope helmer Rick Famuyiwa will be stepping into the director’s chair for Children of Blood and Bone. Temple Hill, the production company responsible for Love, Simon and The Maze Runner trilogy will produce a script written by Mary Poppins Returns screenwriter David Magee. Not much other information has been released about the film at this time.

Rick Famuyiwa has directed several films centering on the black experience in America, including The Wood and Brown Sugar, and the Nigerian-American director gained acclaim for his inspired coming-of-age Sundance hit Dope. Famuyiwa garnered a lot of attention following the film’s success and was even hired to direct DC’s upcoming The Flash movie. However, he walked away soon after due to “creative differences.” Famuyiwa has since landed a job helming a comic adaptation of Black Hole. Prior to that, it was also reported that he would direct a different comic adaptation, Son of Shaolin, although there hasn’t been much word on either project for quite some time. The director will also reportedly helm episodes of the upcoming Disney Plus series The Mandalorian as well.

While it is true that one can’t throw a rock these days without coming across a new YA adaptation, Children of Blood and Bone’s setting, mythology, and core cast set it apart in the fantasy genre, which has precious little in the way of diversity. Although he hasn't yet dipped a toe into this particular genre, Famuyiwa has proven himself a fresh voice with his talent as both a writer and director. He seems like the perfect choice to bring Zelie and her fictional home of Orïsha to brilliant life in Children of Blood and Bone.

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Source: THR