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.
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[@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.

[@vicstanfieldshire7754]

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.

[@fadhil7959]

You sure? Have u seen all of the SW legends, EU, new canon, etc? Its pretty complicated and even the core concepts of the movies are interesting imo. Jedi, Force, Sith, etc.. Idk, we can make a religion out of it and still it would make a better mythology than some of the contenders like abrahamic ones

[@rayaqin]

@@fadhil7959 yes, I'm sure

[@geeezzzberger]

lol Lucas consulted with Joseph Campbell through the original trilogy - but you do you.

[@rayaqin]

@@geeezzzberger oh he consulted with someone who is an expert in mythology? That changes everything.

[@geeezzzberger]

@@rayaqin He was the leading expert on mythology of his generation (and many others) and has influenced generations of authors and academics. He is considered THE authority on what you obviously know very, very little. He was Lucas' mentor and long time friend. The hero's journey and mythology is well established and studied. It is thoroughly understood and employed by Lucas with expertise throughout the Star Wars mythos. So, yeah .... changes everything. ha ha ha ha Educate yourself - you will not regret it!