Casting of Amandla Stenberg in 'Children of Blood and Bone' Raises Concerns Over Colorism

Fans criticize the casting of the light-skinned actor as Princess Amari, a character whose experiences with colorism are central to the story.

The upcoming film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's 'Children of Blood and Bone' has announced a star-studded cast, including Amandla Stenberg, Thuso Mbedu, and Damson Idris, with a release date set for January 15, 2027.
Amandla Stenberg's casting as Princess Amari has drawn backlash due to the character's canonical dark skin tone and her key storyline addressing colorism in the novel.
Critics have pointed out the disconnect between the open casting call prioritizing Nigerian actors and the decision to cast a light-skinned, biracial actor in a pivotal role meant for dark-skinned representation.
The controversy has reignited broader discussions about representation and the erasure of dark-skinned Black women in Hollywood, an issue highlighted by fans and social media users.
The film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, will begin production in South Africa soon, with additional casting from Nigeria expected to be announced.