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THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH
EXPLORE THE EPIC, DISCOVER THE STORY
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01. TITLE.
Series Title: The Epic of Gilgamesh. 12-Episode TV Series
Genre: Action, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Creator: J Jonroy Alani, Writer WGA member in New York since 1998, and Feature Director DGA member in Hollywood since 2012.
JJAlani copyright 2025 ©
Contacts:
For access/passwords to Pilot script E1 and Episodes 2-12, contact:
copy cc to
J. J. Alani
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For meetings contact
Author/Showrunner
J. J. Alani
Mobile: +1 646 752 4242
For legal matters:
Aaron J. Moss, Partner,
Mitchell's Silbeberg & Knupp LLP | www.msk.com
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Chairman Litigation Group Entertainment, Intellectual Property & Media,
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2049 Century Park East
18th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Jonathan Gray, Principal Partner, Gray Schwartz LLP
207 West 25th St, Suite 600, New York, NY 10001
T +1 212 966 6700
F +1 212 966 6051
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02. LOGLINE
In humanity's first epic etched 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia’s age of magic, the divinely handsome, young prince Half-God, Half-Man Gilgamesh must overcome incredible obstacles to acquire wisdom, before the stunning avatar goddess Ishtar — who falls violently in love with him — can crown him as King.”
TAGLINE
03. CONCEPT SUMMARY
TV Series Concept Summary
Premise:
In a time of magic, in humanity's first epic poem etched 5000 years ago, haunted by the gods and rivaled by the stunning goddess Ishtar, young Prince Gilgamesh adopts a wild man as his best friend, infuriating Ishtar, who falls deeper in love.
Heartbroken at the death of Enkidu, his wild friend, King Gilgamesh abandons his kingdom to search for immortality, embarking on Humanity's' oldest odyssey, shadowed by the powerful Goddess Ishtar, who falls madly in love with Gilgamesh.
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SEX AND SENSUALITY
The Epic of Gilgamesh was written about 3000 years before the Bible and the Quran- holy books with their many taboos about sex and sensuality, especially the suppression and regulations of female sensuality. Thereby restricting women's freedom to express their natural desires, and marginalizing them as unequal in society
Sensual scenes essential and organic to this story are intended to be teased and suggested via partial, subtle visuals and edits, similar to such films as Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, David Fincher’s The Social Network, The Vikings, and the iconic TV series “Game of Thrones.”
​GENRE: ACTION, DRAMA, ROMANCE, ADVENTURE, FANTASY
SYNOPSIS
In a time of magic, about 5000 years ago, the oldest-known literature, the epic poem Gilgamesh, was etched on 12 clay tablets in Uruk/Sumer, Mesopotamia (The Land Between The Rivers), the Garden of Eden. It was engraved in Cuneiform, humanity’s first known written language. Ruined mainly by war and age, the few remaining poems were deciphered in 1872 by the renowned archaeologist George Smith at the British Museum in London.
This 12-episode TV series is mostly original. It is not an adaptation. The few surviving fractions of the poetic epic, and subsequent incomplete versions freely inspired this Gilgamash.
Creating two heterosexual Love affairs and a platonic Love between Half-God, Half-Man King Gilgamesh, and Part-Animal, Part-Man Enkidu,…Developing more than 20 original characters, original scenes, actions, dialogs, a unique beginning and ending.
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The story is set amid the Sumerian Civilization, renowned for originating more than forty First Innovations (see Section 6 list of Innovations), all of which founded humankind’s first City-State in Uruk/Sumer, the first known civilization.
The first phase of the epic is about Courage, Friendship, Love, Loss, and the unbearable Grief of Loss.
The second phase concerns young King Gilgamesh’s attempt to overcome unendurable Sorrow and Grief. He abandons his Crown and comences on an adventurous journey to acquire Wisdom and a quest to find the meaning of Life and Death. It is the first known odyssey in search of Immortality, more than 2500 years before Homer’s Odysseus.
In mood, scope, look, and themes, Gilgamesh evokes such films as GAME of THRONES, SHOGUN, James Cameron’s AVATAR, Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE, Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR, Bernardo Bertolucci’s THE LAST EMPEROR, Wolfgang Petersen’s TROY, THOR, The VIKINGS, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s THE REVENANT.
04. SUCCESS POTENTIAL
Gilgamesh TV series is unique, relevant, and timely. Telling the classical myth through the lens of modern cinema, this TV series resonants with present audiences and future audiences. Because it features Friendship, Love, Loss/Grief, Drama, Adventure, Fantasy, and fascination with the First Civilization.
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The alluring liberal sex and sensuality love scenes of men and women of Sumer Civilization, 5000 years ago.
This Humanity's First Epic other themes are timeless and universal: Heroism, Care for Animals and Nature, the Wisdom and Meaning of Life and Death, and the Quest in Search of Immorality.
Human’s eternal fascination for compelling Love and Friendship scenes:
a.) The heterosexual love affair between the muscular, handsome Half-God Gilgamesh and the stunning and powerful goddess Ishtar
b.) The spiritual platonic relationship between King Gilgamesh and the wild Part-Animal Enkidu who becomes Gilgamesh’s best friend.
Historical interest in the Sumerian civilization — Cradle of Humanity' dawn —which founded more than forty innovations that shaped the world to come, see section 6 below.
In the second phase of the epic, Gilgamesh odyssey, Gilgamesh finally meets the Noah figure Utnapishtim. Philosophical, simple, and insightful discussions about the meaning of Life and Death
Controversy, perhaps even some religious backlash, about the fact that the Old Testament’s Noah saved the good humanity from The Great Flood had actually happened about 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia.
Enkidu’s natural harmony with Nature, protecting his animal-friends in the mountains will especially attract the younger generations everywhere.
05. WHY 30-MIN EPISODES?
An indication of the short attention span of viewers in our Digital age is this:
The standard logo of the world’s top streamer, Netflix is about 5 seconds long. The logos of Hollywood studios have been significantly shortened to typically 10 seconds, more than twice that of Netflix.
Movie Trailers of traditional Hollywood studios were typically 90 seconds to150 seconds long. Nowadays, typical trailers are 60 seconds long on Instagram, yet they are impactful. On TikTok, Trailers are 15 second long yet pretty effective.
This Gilgamesh12-episode TV series of the oldest epic features Action, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy will attract a wide range of demographics, age 18 to 60 years. Potentially, it will be seen by more viewers than similar epic series.
1. Most viewers for this epic will probably be the younger generation18 to 39 years old. This the Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube generation of short attention span, busy scrolling and swiping. They tend to be impatient, rushing, texting, and almost always short of time. They are much more likely to tap to see a 30-min episode, than a 60-min episode.
2. They will find that each episode is engaging with compelling characters, unusual scenes, look and feel of a different era, tension, conflict, and a suspenseful ending that will make them want to see what happens next. They are much more likely to tap to see the next episode of only 30-min than a 60-min episode. Probably, many viewers will shift into a binge to see more 30-min episodes.
3. 30-min episodes are more straightforward to prepare, shoot, and edit faster.
06. FORTY SIX FIRSTS IN HISTORY
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1. Writing (Cuneiform)
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2. The Wheel
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3. Irrigation Systems
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4. Plow
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5. Farming & Domesticating Animals
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6. Ziggurat massive structures
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7. City-States
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8. Urban Planning
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9. Chariot
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10. Art & Sculpture
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11. Epic Literature & Poetry such as Gilgamesh.
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12. Love Between King Gilgamesh (man) & Goddess Ishtar (woman)
13. “Platonic” Love (without sex) Between Half-God Gilgamesh & Half-Animal Enkidu
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14. Love Song.
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15. Care for Animals
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16 Mankind’s first odyssey In Search of Immortality
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17. Music, first Harp & Lyre
18. Calendar, a lunar calendar to track time
19. Astronomy
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20. Mathematics, a base 60 (sexagesimal) number, leading to how we measure time in 60 secs, 60 mins.
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21. Education schools
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22. Libraries.
23 Medicine
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24. Soap & Hygiene
25. Sailboats
26. Bread, Beer & Wine
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27. Brick Technology
28. Textiles
29. Laws
30. Courts Legal System
31. Religion of Heavenly Gods
32. Temples
33. Mythology
34. Pottery Wheel
35. Monumental Architecture
36. Metallurgy
37. Cylinder Seals
38 Accounting
39. Writing For Record Keeping
40. Weights & Measures
41. Ship Construction
42. Trade Networks
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43 . Warfare tactics
44. Diplomacy.
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45. Bars drinking alcohol
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46. Sketch Comedy
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07. MARVEL MOVIE´S GILGAMESH
This Gilgamesh is different from Marvel movie’s Gilgamesh.
This TV series reflects Gilgamesh’s description in the original "The Epic of Gilgamesh": Gilgamesh is so divinely handsome that he is believed to be Half-God, Half-Man, as strong as a Bull (Bison.)
Marvel movie The Eternals II portrays Gilgamesh as a giant wrestler. He is portrayed as a strong bodyguard, who protects Angelina Jolie’s character, Thena.
The nearest existing descendants of Sumerians are Assyrians, Armenians, and Kurds. Sumerian race would look similar to today’s surviving Assyrians, Armenians, and Kurds. They look like George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Penelope Cruz, Dakota Johnson…
Marvel movie’s Gilgamesh is played by a prominent ex-boxer Korean actor who is talented and sympathetic, with a distinct Korean Asian look.
This TV series' Gilgamesh is authentic to the original "The Epic of Gilgamesh." He begins as a tragic hero who lacks wisdom. Gradually, he changes into a visionary Super Hero, a Warrior King under whose reign the Sumerians invented more than 40 original innovations, such as Writing, Literature, Poetry, Wheel, Chariot, Plow, Irrigation systems, Law & Justice hierarchy, Mathematics, Astronomy, etc. All of which laid the foundation of the first Urban City-State Uruk/Sumer, Humanity’s first Civilization.
See the complete list at the link: 6. “46 First In History.”
According to recent research by historians and linguists, the Sumerian Akkadian language's nearest survival languages are Assyrian and Kurdish. Pure Kurdish is still spoken by some 70 million Kurds in Kurdistan, which is politically divided between west Iran, north Iraq (Mesopotamia), north Syria, and south Turkey. The two rivers, Euphrates and Tigris (both names are Kurdish), flow from the snow-capped mountains of north Kurdistan/south Turkey down to Mesopotamia, which in Greek means the land between the two rivers.
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Conclusion: Both Marvel's films and Gilgamesh series can co-exist and spread Gilgamesh legacy to much wider audiences.
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08. CONTACTS
For password to access the Pilot script E1 and scripts of E2 - E12, contact:
Author/Showrunner J. Jonroy Alani
Email Team@NewrozFilms.com
Mobile. +1 646 752 4242
Tel LA +1 310 230 5442
Tel NY +1 212 757 4743
Tel Paris +33 7 83 67 72 45
For legal matters:
Aaron J Moss Esq, Partner, Chairman Litigation Group Entertainment, Intellectual Property & Media,
Century City, Los Angeles.
Jonathan Gray Principal Partner, Gray Schwartz LLP
207 West 25th Street - 6th Floor
New York, NY 10001
T +1 212 966 6700
F +1 212 966 6051
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09. DIRECTORS
+ CAST WISH LISTS
Suggestions of Directors to direct key episodes:
Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, James Cameron, Denis Villeneuve, Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuaron, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Damien Chazelle, Greta Gerwick, Chloe Zhao, M. Rasoulof, Lesli Linka Glatter, and the Creator/Showrunner J. J. Alani.
Ideas for Cast:
King Gilgamesh:
Chris Hemsworth, Richard Madden, Henry Cavill, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Tom Hardy
Goddess Ishtar:
Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron, Emilia Clarke, Zendaya, Ana de Armas, Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, Golshifteh Farahani
The actress who plays Goddess Ishtar will also play four distinct characters of Ishtar’s magical manifestations. Each of whom shadows Gilgamesh’s Odyssey attempting to stop him, even to kill him if necessary!
Enkidu:
Tom Hardy, Javier Bardem, Zac Efron, Jason Momoa
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King Utnapishtim:
George Clooney or similar for the pivotal Noah character who teaches the wisdom of life to Gilgamesh
Shamhat, Chief Love Priestess (Weapon of Mass Seduction):
Priyanka Chopra, Megan Fox, Dakota Johnson.
10. WORLD BUILDING
Setting: Location, period, time, religion, magic… traditions
Relationship to Humanity’s Other Epic Stories
From Odysseus of Greece to Aeneas of Rome, from Hercules to Spartacus, from Cyrus The Great to Alexander the Great, from Aphrodite to Cleopatra, from Sultan Saladin to King Arthur, from Shéhérazade to Jeanne D’Arc...Our heroes, divas, and iconic protagonists owe much of their origin and appeal to the legend of King Gilgamesh and Goddess Ishtar.
11. CHARACTER ARCS
Characters List, Motivations, Arcs
The primary characters’ dynamics, motivations, arcs, and relationships, as well as a breakdown of the overarching storylines and character arcs.
The epic has more than thirty Characters with dialog. Plus, Gilgamesh’s black horse and a hunting dog who follows Gilgamesh on his odyssey.
(Note: The actress who plays Goddess Ishtar also plays four additional pivotal roles - Lara, Eviva, Zara, and Giana. All four roles are distinct and different manifestations of Goddess Ishtar. Thus, this actress will play five roles, a first in cinema history.)
MAIN CHARACTERS
GILGAMESH Prince of Uruk, 25, Athletic. So divinely handsome, he’s believed to be Half-God, Half-Man. His physical might is in his name:‘Gil-Gamesh’, meaning King of (strong) Bulls. Cocky and arrogant, he does not heed the forewarning of Goddess Ishtar and fails to save his father, King LUGALBANDA, from being murdered by the Karoshians.
Drawn into a Rivalry of Love-Hate relation with the stunning Goddess, the Deity of Uruk Temple. Gilgamesh builds Uruk’s Walls higher and higher...”To meet The Gods”, conscripting the strong boys of Uruk as slave labor.
Heart-broken at the mysterious death of his wild friend ‘brother’ Enkidu, King Gilgamesh abandons his kingdom to search for immortality, embarking on Man's oldest odyssey, shadowed by the dangerous Goddess Ishtar. She falls violently in love with Gilgamesh.
GODDESS ISHTAR. The ravishing Avatar, 29, Divine Eanna's descend to earth in human form. The stunning Ishtar is the Goddess of 'Fertility, Love and War’, the chief deity of Uruk. Seductive, intuitively wise, mysterious, complex, and compulsive, with human passions
Before falling madly in love with Gilgamesh, Goddess Ishtar does seduce and sleep with handsome men, each time adding a Lover Ring to her fingers.
Only Goddess Ishtar can crown Prince Gilgamesh to be King. But she refuses to do so unless Gilgamesh learns wisdom. The more Gilgamesh declines her advances, the more violently she falls in love.
Ishtar posses amazing magical powers which she occasionally employs to her advantage or to teach lessons to “unruly men.” Or, to save Uruk from the invasions of the barbaric Karoshians.
ENKIDU Wildly attractive, 25, virile, instinctive, and earthy. Enkidu is a sweet, sympathetic and lovable character. He has two short horns on his head, and his body is hairy because he was born Half-Animal, Half-Man. As strong as Gilgamesh, he is created by the Gods to challenge and moderate Gilgamesh. He dwells in the mountains in harmony with his animal friends. He naturally respects Nature.
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GILGAMESH VS ENKIDU
(Note: The actress who plays Goddess Ishtar also plays four additional pivotal roles - Lara, Eviva, Zara, and Giana. All four roles are distinct and different manifestations of Goddess Ishtar. Thus, this actress will play five roles, a first in cinema history.)
Goddess Ishtar sends SHAMHAT, her most voluptuous Love Priestess, to seduce and civilize Enkidu, then to bring him to Uruk to fight and moderate Goddess Ishtar’s rival and love-interest, Prince Gilgamesh.
The day Enkidu is seduced to leave his animal friends to go to Uruk is the saddest day of his life. It proves to be the biggest mistake of his life.
SHAMHAT She-Who-Is-Voluptuous, 25, a heart of gold, she is the most erotic Love-Priestess in Goddess Ishtar's Temple. Dripping with sexuality, unaware she’s a weapon of mass seduction.
Ishtar dispatches her up to the mountains to seduce and civilize the Half-Animal Enkidu, then to bring him to Uruk, to challenge Gilgamesh. Improbably, Shamhat falls in love with the earthy Enkidu. This sweet, innocent, and at times erotic love affair may later end in a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ tragedy.
UTNA-PISH-TIM Divine Sage, 45, the “Faraway” handsome, youthful and witty prince who survived The Flood. He built his Ark about 2500 years before Noah's similar Biblical Flood. Gilgamesh seeks UtnaPishTim to learn about Life, Death and Immortality.
QUEEN NINA Queen mother, 40, graceful beauty, Prince/King Gilgamesh's wise, patient mother.
ZORAB A weather-beaten, muscular, warm-blooded, olive-skin General, 35. He is also Gilgamesh’s personal trainer. He can hear but he is mute/silent, with no dialog.
LARA Pretty Shepherdess who seduces the handsome hunter, Stalker. Like Eviva, Zara and Giana, Lara is another mysterious manifestation of Ishtar. [Same lead actress as Goddess Ishtar.]
EVIVA Irresistible Temptress in The Garden of Gods who tempts Gilgamesh to abandon his journey to find Enkidu’s soul and to seek the secret to immortality. Instead, she tempts him to stay in her Paradise. Like Lara, Zara and Giana, Eviva is another mysterious manifestation of Ishtar. [Same lead actress as Goddess Ishtar.]
ZARA Wise, attractive, brunette bar mistress who makes wine for The Gods. She lives at the end of the world on the lip of lake Van. Zara does her best to stop Gilgamesh’s journey so he returns to His People in Uruk. In a fit of deep love and hate, Zara even attempts to kill Gilgamesh. Like Lara, Eviva and Giana, Zara is another mysterious manifestation of Ishtar. [Same lead actress as Goddess Ishtar.]
GIANA Young, attractive girl dancer-seductress in The Underworld. Like Lara, Eviva and Zara, Gina is another mysterious manifestation of Ishtar. [Same lead actress as Goddess Ishtar.]
SHAMHAT,
WEAPON OF MASS SEDUCTION
THE GODS CHARACTERS
God ANU Supreme god, father of Avatar/Goddess Ishtar. A most wise, kind and practical Godfather figure, wearing a horned-cap, a sign of divinity, with a cascade of seven pairs of Bull Horns, the highest. He does his best to temper her independent-minded, passionate and compulsive daughter Goddess Ishtar.
God EANNA Godmother of all mothers. Uruk's main temple is named ’Eanna Temple’ where Goddess Ishtar worships her statue. Silver-hair, graceful and attractive, wearing no horned-cap, and mostly silent, she is the goddess of patience and compassion.
God ENLIL Advocate god, wearing a cap of five pairs of horns. A shrewd chief executive responsible for order and discipline in the Sumerian Universe. Sometimes, he’s extremely vengeful.
God EA Water God and Lord of the Clear Eye, wearing four pairs of horns. Cool, kind, unconventional, cunning and witty. He secretly advises Prince Utnapishtim to build an Ark and save the good mankind.
God USMU Two-faced god of Diplomacy. Cold, clever, and humorous.
God ENKI The quiet God of Creation and Wisdom, known for creating Balance and Order in both the Divine and Human realms. Wild Enkidu’s name was derived from this Enki god who persuaded the gods to create a strong part-man, part-animal in the wilderness to challenge and moderate Gilgamesh.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
GEORGE George Smith, 32, was an archeologist scholar who deciphered the epic poem of Gilgamesh in 1872 at the British Museum in London during the reign of Queen Victoria.
QUEEN VICTORIA, 53.
ARCHBISHOP
MINISTER
HUMBABA Horrific monster, servant to god Enlil. Humbaba Viciously guards The Cedar Forest.
SCORPION KING Temperamental guardian of Zakho Tunnel through which Gilgamesh must pass. King of the Scorpions with red laser eyes whose mere glance causes instant death.
SCORPION QUEEN Humorous and dangerous queen of the Scorpion King.
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KAROSH Rogue muscular, 35, fierce chief of the barbaric Karoshians tribe who more than once tries to take over Gilgamesh’s Uruk city-state.
URSHANABI Mischievous and loyal servant, 35, ferryman to Sage Utna-Pish-Tim. Only he can take Gilgamesh across the acidic boiling waters of the Maarg River to Utnapishtim, the prince who built the Ark and saved good humanity.
KING LUGALBANDA Father of Gilgamesh, 50, strong, wise, and husband of Queen Nina. Having built Uruk to be the most incredible and most beautiful city on earth, he is loved by His People. His last dying words to his son Prince Gilgamesh: “Save Uruk! Build The Walls higher, higher to heaven.”
PUZUR The wily, greedy shipbuilder whom UtnaPishTim must persuade to build the mighty Ark in seven days.
NAZDARA Noble, graceful, 40, wife of Sage Utna-Pish-Tim, the prince who built the Ark and saved excellent humanity from The Flood.
PARISA The second most erotic Love-Priestess, 25, in Avatar Goddess Ishtar's Temple.
GORAN General Goran, 28, Zorab’s muscular replacement.
LOVE PRIESTESSES Community-respected Sensual Women, 21-25, led by Shamhat. Kept by Goddess Ishtar in her Eanna Temple, they teach the young women and men of Uruk the arts and joys of Love and Sex.
KUMBABA, Son of Humbaba, appears briefly as a cute and innocent youngster in the early episodes. He grows to be a muscular adult. From within the Forest, he shadows Gilgamesh in a vengeful, terrifying role, echoing his father’s (Humbaba) legacy.
BULL OF HEAVEN Gigantic, winged bull with colossal killer curved horns. He belongs to the supreme god Anu, Avatar/Goddess Ishtar's father. Goddess Ishtar persuades her father to use the dreaded Bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh and Enkidu.
AKO Gilgamesh’s black horse. A proud, graceful, muscular, quick stallion, reflecting Gilgamesh’s personality.
AMO A stray, young SALUKI: a Mesopotamian black, graceful hunting dog with elegant orange-colored legs and orange freckles on his black face. During Gilgamesh’s Odyssey, Amo is initially Gilgamesh’s unwanted, troublesome companion, but soon, Amo becomes his loyal and clever companion, who even saves his life.
SHERKO Gilgamesh’s 15-year-old son. Handsome, strong, and athletic, like his father. A future great warrior, he learns from his father the wisdom of using his heart and head, not just his power.
ABO Prince Sherko’s white stallion.
PRINCE GILGAMESH FIGHTING BULL OF HEAVEN
12. CHARACTERS THEMES
Sample Characters' themes
The strikingly handsome, athletic Gilgamesh begins as an aggressive Prince. He exercises his senior’s right as the first to sleep with Uruk’s virgins. He enslaves the strong boys of Uruk to build higher walls. He does not know how to manage Goddess Ishtar’s rivalry and her secret passionate love for him.
Gilgamesh fights Enkidu, the strong Part-Man, Part-Animal, created by The Gods to challenge and moderate Gilgamesh. Unexpectedly, Gilgamesh adopts Enkidu as his brother and friend. Together, they dare to kill the monster Humbaba, the Guardian of the Cedar forest, so the people of Uruk can build homes, boats, Temples, and grand city buildings.
After adopting the wild Enkidu as his best friend, Gilgamesh learns to become kind, humane, and just. He frees the boys of Uruk. He stops deflowering the Virgin Brides.
Ishtar crowns Gilgamesh as King. She offers to be his wife and lover forever.
But Gilgamesh declines.
When Enkidu unexpectedly dies, Gilgamesh is devastated and heartbroken.
Gilgamesh lifts the dead Enkidu as if he were his bride
He carries Enkidu to the palace balcony.
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13. STORY OVERVIEW
Gilgamesh Epic Story Overview
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ªSensual scenes essential and organic to this story are intended to be teased and suggested via partial, subtle visuals similar to such “R-rated” films as Bernardo Bertolucci “The Last Emperor,” Ridley Scott’s “GLADIATOR,” Wolfgang Petersen’s “TROY”, David Fincher’s SOCIAL NETWORK, the iconic TV series “GAMES OF THRONES.”º
Principal Protagonists are GILGAMESH, Ishtar, ENKIDU, UTNAPISHTIM, and SHAMHAT. AKO, Gilgamesh’s black horse, and AMO, a cute dog Gilgamesh saves. The dog follows Gilgamesh, becomes his companion, and even saves him, along with his Odyssey, to meet the Faraway, Utnapishtim (the biblical Noah), in search of Immortality.
The antagonists are KAROSH, the chief of the barbaric Tribe THE KAROSHIANS, the Monster HUMBABA, ENIL, the advocate God of Discipline, the SCORPION KING, and the SCORPION QUEEN.
Prince (later King) Gilgamesh of Uruk, 25. Athletic. Divinely handsome because he is Half-God, Half-Man. Haunted by a Rivalry of Love-Hate relation with the stunning Goddess, the Deity of Uruk Temple.
Goddess Ishtar, 29, ravishing Avatar, is Divine Eanna's descent to earth in human form. The stunning Ishtar is the Goddess of 'Fertility, Love, and War,’ the chief deity of Uruk. Seductive, intuitively wise, mysterious, complex, and compulsive, with human passions. She is also a ingenious magician!
(Note: The actress who plays Goddess Ishtar also plays four additional pivotal roles - Lara, Eviva, Zara, and Giana. All four roles are distinct and different manifestations of Goddess Ishtar. Thus, this actress will play five roles, a first in cinema history.)
Wildly attractive, 25, virile, intuitive, and earthy. He has two short horns on his head. His body is hairy because he was born Part-Animal, Part-Man. As strong as Gilgamesh, he is created by the Gods to challenge and moderate Gilgamesh. Initially, he dwells in the mountains in harmony with his animal friends. Until Goddess Ishtar sends SHAMHAT, her most voluptuous Love Priestess, to seduce and civilize Enkidu, then to bring him to Uruk to fight and moderate Goddess Ishtar’s rival and love interest, Prince Gilgamesh.
In Humanity’s first known epic etched 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia’s age of magic, Half-God, Half-Man, handsome Prince GILGAMESH abuses his powers. He exercises the Seigneur’s Right to sleep with the virgin brides before their grooms. People plead to The Gods. Presided by God ANU, Goddess Ishtar’s father, the Avatar Deity of Uruk’s Temple, the Gods create ENKIDU, a Part-Animal, Part-Man in the mountains as strong and as attractive as Gilgamesh to fight and moderate Gilgamesh.
Prince Gilgamesh ignores Goddess Ishtar’s forewarning and fails to save the King, his father, from the barbarians’ attack. Gilgamesh follows his father’s last wish and builds the Walls higher and higher, conscripting the strong boys of Uruk as slave labor.
Part-Animal, Part-Man, Enkidu dwells in harmony with animal friends by the river in the mountains. Until Goddess Ishtar sends SHAMHAT, her most voluptuous Temple Love Priestess, to seduce and civilize Enkidu, she brings him to Uruk to fight and moderate Prince Gilgamesh.
After seven nights of erotic love-making, Shamhat brings Enkidu to Uruk. In a spectacular fight, Enkidu wins, kicking Gilgamesh to hang from the high rampant’s edge, about to fall to death. But Enkidu pulls him up and saves him. They became inseparable friends.
The horrific monster HUMBABA keeps killing Urukians who try to cut wood in the Cedar Forest to build homes and boats. Gilgamesh and Enkidu dare to go to the forest, and after a long, brutal fight, they kill Humbaba.
On a boat down the river, Gilgamesh and Enkidu bring wood and the head of Humbaba to Uruk. Goddess Ishtar crowns Gilgamesh as King. In the Ceremony, Goddess Ishtar whispers to Gilgamesh “Be My Husband and Lover, I Shall Love you Forever.” Gilgamesh declines. He grabs her hand to show her Lover Rings, shouting, “How many of your lovers have you loved forever!?!?” further fueling their dangerous jealousy and rivalry
Haunted by the Gods and rivaled by the stunning Goddess Ishtar, Prince Gilgamesh adopts Enkidu as his best friend, infuriating Avatar Ishtar, who falls deeply in love. Heartbroken at the mysterious death of his wild friend Enkidu, King Gilgamesh abandons his kingdom to search for immortality, embarking on Man's oldest odyssey, shadowed by the powerful Goddess Ishtar, who falls madly in love with Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh seeks Utnapishtim “Noah” to learn about Life, Death, and Immortality.
After a long, lonely, adventurous journey, Gilgamesh overcomes incredible obstacles, kills Capricornus's demons, and finally meets UTNAPISHTIM, UTNA-PISH-TIM, the “Faraway” good-looking and witty prince who survived the Flood. He built his Ark about 2500 years before Noah's similar Biblical Flood.
WISDOM. I SHALL BE KING!
“Prince Gilgamesh ignores Goddess Ishtar’s warning and fails to save his father, the King, from the barbarians attack. With his dying words, the King urges Gilgamesh to ‘Build the walls higher...up to the sky.’
Ishtar refuses to crown Gilgamesh until he gains true wisdom.”
Password to Episode 1, the Pilot, and Episodes E2 to E12 will be supplied upon email request to:
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cc copy to the author
J. Jonroy Alani:
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Each Episode will be viewable and downloadable.
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Click button below to read the Pilot Script S1 E1:
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”I Shall Be King!”
15. EPISODES GUIDE
A summary of each episode, highlighting the main plot, character arcs/developments, and subplots.
Wisdom. I Shall Be king!
Prince Gilgamesh ignores Goddess Ishtar’s forewarning and fails to save the King, his father, from the barbarians’ attack. His father’s last words to Gilgamesh- “Build The Walls Higher...Up To The Sky.” Goddess Ishtar refuses to Crown Prince Gilgamesh as King until he learns Wisdom.
“Build the Walls higher to Heavens.”
Prince Gilgamesh makes love to Goddess Ishtar, hoping she will crown him as King. She is dissatisfied and refuses his wish. Gilgamesh conscripts the strong boys of Uruk as slave labor to build The Walls higher. He exercises Seignior’s Rights and sleeps with the Virgin Brides before their husbands. The Mothers complain to Goddess Ishtar and City Elders, who appeal to The Gods for Divine Intervention. The Gods create ENKIDU, Half-Animal, Half-Man in the wild, as strong as Gilgamesh, to challenge and moderate Gilgamesh.
Seven nights of erotic lovemaking​.
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Goddess Ishtar dispatches Shamhat, her most sensual Love Priestess, to the mountains to seduce and civilize Enkidu and bring him to Uruk to challenge Gilgamesh. After six days and seven nights of lovemaking, Enkidu is terrified to encounter HUMBABA, the horrific Monster who guards the Cedar Forest.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu become Best Friends
After six days and seven nights of erotic love-making, Shamhat falls in love with Enkidu and brings him Uruk. In a spectacular fight, Enkidu wins, kicking Gilgamesh to hang from the high rampant’s edge, about to fall to death. But Enkidu pulls him up and saves him.
Haunted by the Gods and rivaled by the stunning Goddess Ishtar, Prince Gilgamesh adopts Enkidu as his best friend, infuriating Avatar Ishtar, who falls deeper in love.
They Kill Monster Humbaba. Ishtar crowns Gilgamesh as Uruk’s King She whispers to Gilgamesh, “Be My Husband and Lover. I shall Love You Forever.” Gilgamesh declines.
On a boat down the river, Gilgamesh and Enkidu bring wood and the head of Humbaba to Uruk. Goddess Ishtar crowns Gilgamesh as King. Ishtar whispers to Gilgamesh, “Be My Lover and Husband, I Shall Love You Forever.”
Gilgamesh declines, grabbing her hand to show her Lover Rings, shouting,
” Which of your many lovers have you loved forever!?”
Gilgamesh and Enkidu slaughter The Bull of Heaven
Jealous of the growing friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Goddess Ishtar convinces her father, Supreme God Anu, to loan her the ferocious Bull of Heaven to destroy Enkidu.
Enkidu must die!
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For seven days, Gilgamesh mourns the death of Enkidu.
Heartbroken, Gilgamesh abandons his kingdom and embarks on a journey to the wilderness, aiming to meet Enkidu’s spirit.
Gilgamesh climbs the mountains & fights beasts in search of Immortality.
Angered at the murder of his Bull of Heaven, Supreme God Anu convenes the Gods, who are already upset at the death of Humbaba (their Guardian of the Cedar Forest), to vote to kill Enkidu.
Enkidu dies mysteriously. Gilgamesh mourns him for seven days, not allowing him to be buried, hoping he would return to Life. Shamhat rushes to embrace the dead Enkidu kills herself with her little dagger, and collapses on Enkidu.
Heartbroken at the mysterious death of his best friend Enkidu, King Gilgamesh abandons his kingdom to search for Enkidu’s soul, embarking on Man's oldest odyssey in search for Immorality, shadowed by the powerful Goddess Ishtar, who falls even more madly in love with Gilgamesh. Feigning as four different, distinct women - Ishtar follows Gilgamesh to seduce him to return to Uruk, even to kill him if necessary.
The Garden of Gods: Paradise
On his odyssey up the river among the mountains, Gilgamesh is shadowed by Goddess Ishtar.
Gilgamesh fights lions, which Ishtar directed to devour him. He kills one Lion. But he fails to save his beloved black horse, Ako, from the second Lion.
Determined, Gilgamesh continues his journey on foot.
Scorpion King, Scorpion Queen, and their Scorpion Demons, with their deadly flashy red eyes, try to blind and hinder Gilgamesh. But he succeeds in tricking them and enters Zakho’s mountain damp, dark tunnel to pass to the other side on his way to Sage Utnapishtim, the “Noah” who survived The Flood and was granted Immortality by The Gods.
Eviva seduces Gilgamesh but fails to persuade him to stay in Paradise. Eviva swallows Gilgamesh’s Index Finger whole!
Gilgamesh adopts Amo, a wild dog.
In Zakho’s mountain damp dark tunnel, Gilgamesh is attacked by black bat demons. He barely manages to the other side before sunrise. Stunning Eviva sings and seduces Gilgamesh to enter The Garden of Gods- Paradise. Eviva, another manifestation of Goddess Ishtar, tries to convince Gilgamesh to stay in her Paradise. But Gilgamesh insists on leaving and continuing his journey to find Enkidu’s spirits and to meet Utnapishtim.
Eviva/Ishtar catches up with him and becomes a poisonous serpent, coiling around his neck. Gilgamesh kills the serpent, but not before the snake swallowed his whole Index Finger, the same finger that Gilgamesh had pointed at Goddess Ishtar, accusing her of infidelity.
Epic Lovemaking at Zara’s Bar
Odyssey to the Faraway Utnapishtim “Noah”
Gilgamesh meets Utnapishtim
On his way out of the Garden of Gods, Gilgamesh saves SALUKI, a Mesopotamian hunting dog, who becomes his loyal companion. Gilgamesh and Saluki stay one night at Zara’s bar by Lake Van. Attractive Zara declares she makes wine for The Gods. (Unbeknown to Gilgamesh, Zara is another manifestation of Ishtar.) She tries to persuade Gilgamesh to return to Uruk to his people. She serves him more wine and makes him fall asleep. Zara tries to dive her dagger into Gilgamesh’s heart. But the dog barks and awakens Gilgamesh. Zara’s second attempt to kill Gilgamesh fails during the windy, stormy night of thunders.
She sings a bittersweet love song to him and falls asleep beside Gilgamesh. Thunders and torrential rains awaken them. They fall into each other’s embrace and make epic, passionate love, sighing and screaming, into the stormy night up to Heaven.
In the morning, Gilgamesh continues his journey to the Utnapishtim. After a scary boat ride on the boiling waters of the Maarg River, Gilgamesh finally meets Utnapishtim. Gilgamesh is anxious to learn the wisdom of why Life and Death.
Utnapishtim/Noah:
“Which is wiser? To waste time to puzzle out “Why Life and Death”?
Or, To enjoy the many pleasures of Life?”
Utnapishtim and Nazdara, his wife, welcome Gilgamesh as a guest at their home by the River. Utnapishtim shares the wisdom of Life and Death with Gilgamesh, stating that the Gods reserved eternal life only for themselves. That Life forever was not in Enkidu’s Destiny. Nor is it in Gilgamesh’s Destiny. Gilgamesh asks how he, Utnapishtim, was granted to live forever. Utnapishtim replies because my Lord, the God of Water, advised me to abandon my Kingdom and all my possessions and build an Ark.
Utnapishtim recounts in graphic detail how he abandoned his palace as King of Shurippak and all his possessions, built a massive Ark, and saved good humanity and some Animals and Birds from the total devastation of the Great Flood. (Remarkably similar to Noah’s Flood story in the Old Testament/Bible some 3000 years later.)
Gilgamesh begs to be granted eternal life. Utnapishtim responds that maybe he could pass a test. But Gilgamesh fails the test. Nazdara pleads with her husband that Gilgamesh has suffered much. Could he be given a second chance?
“Gilgamesh: “Why Life and Death?
“The Answer is under our feet.”
Utnapishtim grants Gilgamesh a second chance, saying if you succeed in bringing up the Plant of Youth from the bottom of the River, then when you get old, you eat the plant, you shall be youthful again, but only for as long as you live. Gilgamesh responds that is it? Utnapishtim responds yes, except that you must kill the Capricornus, who guards the Plant of Youth. Gilgamesh responds, “No Thanks, I must return to my mother and my people.” Nazdara hands him her Golden Dagger, saying you must not waste his chance.
Gilgamesh dives down, and after a deadly fight, he brings up The Plant of Youth. Gilgamesh and Urshanabi the Ferryman sail down the River to Uruk. On the way, an old Serpent swallows the Plant of Youth and instantly becomes a young snake.
Gilgamesh is initially enraged, but then he recalls Utnapishtim’s wisdom that Life Forever is not his Destiny.
He returns to Uruk, where he shares the lessons he learned in his incredible odyssey with the appreciative Ukrainians in a moving, engaging speech (similar to The King’s Speech” 2010 film). He shows how it changed him. He notices Goddess Ishtar has changed from a cold, striking beauty to a stunning, warm, womanly princess. They marry and have seven children.
16. AESTHETIC ELEMENTS
COLOR PALETTE
God Shamash, the sun god, is not seen much in the Assembly of Gods. But, god Shamash is deeply worshipped for sustaining Life of the planet with his infinite energy and glorious light.
Especially for the first phase of Gilgamesh epic, which takes place mostly in hot Uruk City, the color palette will be the Sun’s changing light from dawn, sunrise, to orange (via hot midday) to reddish sunset.
For the second phase of Gilgamesh’s odyssey to the snow-capped mountains via lush valleys, rivers, ravines, cliffs, and waterfalls, the color palette will be cold blue, dark green, brown, snow white…. Similar to The Revenant movie’s second phase: the lonely journey of the hero’s survival, redemption, and revenge.
VISUAL REFERENCES
“Art Of The First Cities” New York Metropolitan Museum, Exhibition Catalogue
Cinematography Styles
In mood, scope, look, and themes, Gilgamesh evokes such shows and films as GAME of THRONES, SHOGUN, Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE, Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR, Bernardo Bertolucci’s THE LAST EMPEROR, Wolfgang Petersen’s TROY, THOR, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s THE REVENANT.
CGI will be a significant element of the production.
Actual production location choices could be Colorado, Canada, Morocco, Jordan, Spain.
Mountain locations could be shot in the autonomous Kurdistan Region (north of Iraq), Colorado, or similar mountain and river locations featured in The Revenant.
Music references:
Games of Throne music composer Ramin Djawadi
Ancient musical instruments and classical music of Persia, Kurdistan, and Armenia
17. EXPANTION
POTENTIAL
A.) Potential for two epic feature films: Author J. J. Alani’s two film scripts — the first script and the sequel — from which this TV series was developed are ready and registered at WGA and the Library of Congress. This TV Series of nearly 400 pages could easily be turned into two or perhaps even three film scripts.
B.) To appeal primarily to children and teen viewers, there is potential for a Cartoon version of The Gilgamesh epic by moderating or deleting the sexual scenes and violent battles.
18. MARKETING + MERCHANDISING
Concepts for how the show could be marketed or merchandized, similar to other epics such as Lord of The Rings, The Game of Thrones, etc.
Artistic versions of the letter “G” of Gilgamesh’s name can be used on apparels such as Hats, T-Shirts, Jewelry, Tattoo Symbols on Accessories, etc.
Plus, the unique names of the memorable characters of Gilgamesh, Ishtar, Enkidu, Shamhat, Humbaba, Utnapishtim.
May all be used as promos on apparels, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, etc.
19. J. J. ALANI, AUTHENTICITY
Showrunner J. J. Alani ensures Authenticity
Why Creator/Writer J. J. Alani’s background as the showrunner ensures authenticity and consistency to the vision and spirit of this 12-episode "Gilgamesh" TV series.
Born in the Mesopotamia region, now a dual American-British citizen, J. Jonroy Alani is uniquely qualified to be the showrunner for the 12-episode "Gilgamesh" TV series due to his deep connection to the story and its cultural roots. Several vital factors highlight his qualifications:
1. Hollywood studios recognized that the Godfather films owed much of their worldwide success to the use of an Italian-American, Francis Coppola, as the director and effective “Showrunner.” Alani’s understanding of multiple languages, deep research of the diverse cultures, and direct knowledge of Mesopotamia give him a unique ability to interpret the Epic of Gilgamesh authentically, capturing its historical, cultural, and linguistic nuances for a genuine and immersive epic.
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2. Academic Credentials: With several degrees from prestigious universities in Europe and America, Alani’s education and deep research equip him with the discipline and scholarly insight needed to tackle the epic’s complex themes.
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3. Professional Experience: As a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), Directors Guild of America (DGA), and the Royal Photographic Society (London), Alani brings a wealth of experience as both a storyteller and a visual director. His experience as the sole producer and director of two independent, controversial films —"David & Layla" and "Beyond Paradise"— further proves his ability to manage projects that explore cultural, religious, and historical conflicts.
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4. Proven Success in Filmmaking: Alani’s previous films, despite being low-budget Indies, achieved rare success. "David & Layla" (shot in difficult, and unfriendly to Indie films, Manhattan) was simultaneously distributed by Time Warner and Netflix. His second, "Beyond Paradise" (shot in Malibu and Los Angeles) was distributed by MarVista Entertainment. Each year, thousands of Indies are made in America. Less than 2% get distribution. Alani's ability to get his two Indie films distributed demonstrates his talent, diplomacy, and determination to navigate the Hollywood entertainment industry.
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5. Sole Creator and Writer of the “Gilgamesh” Series: As the sole creator and writer, Alani’s intimate involvement with the project ensures consistency, authenticity, and a clear vision throughout the series. His personal investment and deep engagement with the material make him uniquely suited to oversee its development and production.
20. J. J. ALANI WGA DGA
WGA Writer, DGA Director J. J. Alani
J Jonroy ALANI (J.J. Alani) is an accomplished filmmaker with a global presence, living and working in Paris, Los Angeles, and Medellín, Colombia. A member of both the
Writers Guild of America (WGA) since 1998. and Directors Guild of America (DGA) since 2012, Alani’s impressive career is supported by a solid academic foundation. He earned a BSc First Class Honors from Leicester University in the UK, followed by an MSc and a Diploma from Imperial College, London University. Alani's filmography reflects his versatility and talent. He wrote, produced, and directed the political romantic comedy “David & Layla” (2005), distributed by Netflix and Warner Bros., and the drama “Beyond Paradis” (2015), distributed by Marvista Entertainment.
Beyond Paradise received two Imagen Award nominations for Best Actor (Ryan Guzman) vs. Antonio Banderas and Best Actress (Francia Raisa) vs. Juliette Binoche. Both films were Official Selections at renowned romance film festivals, including the Mons International Film Festival in Belgium and the Cabourg Romantic Film Festival in France. “David & Layla” garnered critical acclaim, winning eight awards across 29 international festivals, including the Grand Prix du Public at Mons, where it competed against films such as La Vie en Rose, 2 Days in Paris, and Lady Chatterley.
Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter praised this first Jewish Muslim Romantic Dramady as “a bold, politically relevant film made against impossible odds.” Theatrically distributed David & Layla raving reviews in the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Jewish Chronicles, etc. In addition to his directorial work, Alani served as Executive Producer for Mata Hari, a film about the legendary spy, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015. His creative pursuits extend beyond film, as he is a member of the Royal Photographic Society in London, where he briefly worked as a fashion photographer in Paris and London before fully committing to filmmaking.
Alani furthered his education at Sorbonne University in Paris, earning a Diplôme Supérieur de Langue et Civilisation Française. Before Covid, he was in pre-production in Paris for the feature film Au-Delà du Paradis*, a French-UK-Georgia co-production. Recently, he finished adapting his two screenplays of the Epic of Gilgamesh into a 12-episode TV series aimed at streaming platforms like Netflix, HBOMAX, and Amazon. Apple,…Born in Mesopotamia, Alani holds dual U.S. and U.K. citizenship. He is fluent in English and French, with increasing proficiency in Spanish, and familiar with Portuguese, and several Middle Eastern languages.
His international experience includes living and working in Paris, New York, London, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, and Medellín. Additionally, Alani has studied at the UCLA School of Film (Adult Education) and the USC School of Cinematic Arts ((Advanced Practicum in Screenwriting) in Los Angeles. From 1996 to 2000, as a volunteer, he coached some graduate students at NYU's Film School for their thesis projects.
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21. REFERENCES
GILGAMESH, Translated from the Sin-Leqi-Unninni Version. By John Gardner and John Maier.
Art Of The First Cities. Catalog of Metropolitan Museum of New York.
History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-Nine Firsts in Recorded History by Samuel Noah Kramer.
British Museum- Near East Asia Galleries, London
Lourve Musem - Paris
Berlin University, Gilgamesh AI Research Center
The paintings “L’Age d’Or” by Jean August Dominique Ingres and “La joie de vivre” by Henri Matisse evoke The Garden of Gods’ images of Paradise.
22. PDFs OF EPISODES
PDFs of E1- E12 Episodes
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Password to Episode 1, the Pilot, and Episodes E2 to E12 will be supplied upon email request to
cc copy to the author
J. Jonroy Alani:
Each episode will be viewable and downloadable.