Wizards of the Dark Circle

TAGLINE: The metal of a warrior, the mettle of a princess.

THEME: Revenge is a two-edged sword.

GENRE: Action-adventure/swords & sorcery story which takes place in Robert E. Howard’s fictional Hyborian Age.

SETTING: Northern Indian subcontinent/mountains (Hindu Kush).

This screenplay is an original adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s 1934 novella “The People of the Black Circle”, but
with a different - and new to film - male protagonist: Turlogh Dubh O’Brien, a Howard character who appears in only
three short stories and several story snippets, taking on the main male lead role and replacing Conan the Cimmerian.

The chronology of the original story is changed somewhat, and some scenes are removed or relocated within the story to
enhance the narrative arc. Most importantly, backstory “teasers/hooks” for Turlogh are built into the script,
setting up a prequel and a sequel.

The goals for this screen concept are to emulate Howard’s fast-paced action while emphasizing character development for Princess Yasmina - the charismatic female lead - and Turlogh Dubh, the gruff warrior outsider who also reveals his human side. Does she learn to tame her arrogant pride and lust for revenge in order to become an able and wise ruler of her country? Does he gain a better understanding of his past, and move nearer to reaching his distant homeland at last? Do Yasmina and Turlogh fall in love in the process?

The script makes use of drone shots to enhance the dramatic effect of some scenes.

Full six-page story summary available on request.

I am currently (as of 7/12/23) not a WGA member.

Original poster art by Mark Wheatley (who also did the promo poster art for the 2023 Netflix release "Rebel Moon").

Note/Disclaimer: No AI application was used to compose any portion of this synopsis or script.