The Next Big Fantasy Movie Franchise Is At Risk Of Fumbling After A 9-Year Wait

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The journey to bring this story to the big screen has been unexpectedly lengthy. Before the first book in Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy trilogy was even released in 2018, a film adaptation was secured. However, the original production company, Fox 2000, was absorbed into Disney when Disney bought 21st Century Fox. The project then moved to Lucasfilm in 2019, but was later put on hold, and Disney ultimately let the film rights expire.

The project gained new momentum when Paramount acquired the distribution rights in 2022, and the author began writing the movie script. In 2023, Gina Prince-Bythewood, known for directing The Woman King, signed on as director. Thuso Mbedu, who starred in The Underground Railroad, will play the lead role, alongside a remarkable cast including Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Amandla Stenberg, Lashana Lynch, Damson Idris, and Regina King. Children of Blood & Bone is expected to be the first installment in a major new film series and is currently slated for release in theaters on January 15, 2027.

After this month, though, Paramount may want to rethink that date.

Is January A Smart Time To Launch A New Franchise?

January is often seen as a month for releasing less promising films or movies that didn’t quite meet expectations. However, 2026 broke that trend with the release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the second film in a planned 28 Days revival trilogy. The movie received excellent reviews, and Sony was so confident in its success that they approved the third film in December, based on early reactions to The Bone Temple.

The film hasn’t done well in theaters so far. While early predictions were low, it saw a huge drop in ticket sales its second weekend – down 72.6% – partly because many theaters closed due to a winter storm. Surprisingly, The Bone Temple has made less money than Primate did in its first two weeks, even though it cost almost three times as much to produce. It’s a shame, because it’s actually a very good movie.

Several things contributed to the film’s performance, including a possible decline in interest after 28 Years Later came out last June. However, releasing the movie in January likely didn’t help. Hollywood doesn’t pick release dates randomly – factors like the end of the holiday season, the weather, and competition from events like the NFL playoffs explain why January isn’t a typical month for major movie releases.

So, why is Paramount trying to with Children of Blood & Bone?

The main reason for this release date is timing. The film is currently scheduled to come out between the release of The Beekeeper 2 and any other big movies that might draw away audiences, giving it a good window to shine. Moving to a more popular time of year would mean facing much more competition. Also, the studio has already booked IMAX theaters for this date and likely wants to keep them.

Paramount is taking a considerable chance with this film. Children of Blood & Bone could become a major fantasy series, and the studio hopes it will not only be profitable but also create a dedicated fanbase that will support future installments. Given the disappointing performance of The Bone Temple, it’s worth thinking about whether a different release date might be more beneficial for this movie.

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2026-01-30 21:00