The book was adapted into an American fantasy movie after Adeyemi secured a seven-figure deal with Fox Studios.
Adeyemi, an English literature graduate of Harvard University, is a creative writing coach based in San Diego. After graduating from Harvard, she secured a fellowship to study West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil.
Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, which landed on the New York Times bestseller list in 2018, tells the story of Zélie Adebola’s quest to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha after the ruling class brutally suppresses the class of magic practitioners she belongs to.
According to reports, the filming began in South Africa in February. Paramount Pictures is scheduled to release the film in the United States on January 15, 2027.
In a recent Instagram post, Adeyemi announced the newest additions to the cast, including Ayra Starr, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Pamilerin Ayodeji, Shamz Garuba, Zackary Momoh, Kola Bodunde, Saniyya Sidney, and British-Nigerian basketball player, Temi Fagbenle.
In January 2025, Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Tosin Cole, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lashana Lynch, Idris Elba, and Viola Davis joined the cast.
In November 2024, a casting call was sent out by the movie director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, for male and female actors between the ages of 10 and mid-20s living in Nigeria.