Werner Herzog’s Star Wars Take Gives The Franchise The Credit It Deserves

Star Wars has been able to create one of the largest, most fervent fan bases in modern memory. Legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog sat down with Inverse for an episode of Inverse Social Hour, where he explained why he believes Star Wars to be the modern epic myth of our time.

Inverse Social Hour is a video series hosted by Jake Kleinman featuring interviews with our favorite geeky celebrities.

Watch More Episodes:

Joel McHale reveals what's next for Jeff in the 'Community' movie

'Impractical Jokers' star James Murray reveals how he would prank Elon Musk

'Deadpool' creator Rob Liefeld on Marvel Phase 4, the next Wolverine, and new Marvel heroes

About Inverse:
Inverse is the coolest place to get smarter. We explore entertainment, gaming, the science of anything, innovations that shape tomorrow, and ideas that stretch our minds. Our goal is to motivate the next generation to build a better world.

FOLLOW US!

[MrDrood]

Myth are based on stories. Stories are mostly ancient fiction. I completely agree with Mr Werner on SW phenomenon.

[Dan-Black]

If they're trying to say Herzog's comment about Star Wars being a "new mythology for our times" is a revelation, they're ignorant.

George Lucas specifically stated that Star Wars was his attempt to create a "modern myth" from the very beginning. I think I first read about Lucas saying that or saw a making-of video clip of him saying that before the original trilogy was even finished, and most definitely before the prequels started filming. Lucas very consciously planned and stated that. In fact, I'm fairly sure I heard him repeat it in several videos or interviews dating back to the original trilogy. It's definitely common public knowledge for any who paid attention.

Herzog's statement is not a revelation (and I'm not saying _he_ claimed it was, but this video seems to claim that), and he (Herzog) may have called it that consciously and intentionally because he read or heard the same description from George Lucas that I did.

[vicstanfieldshire]

Since Lucas beautifully articulated Campbells works; there is only one logical outcome when someone masterfully conveys “The Heroes Journey”….. Mythos/Theocracy

[rayaqin]

The problem with this is that this "new mythology" is not nearly as well thought-out and is not thoughtfully engraved with deeply symbolic meaning as the ones that were developed over thousands of years.