On the docket for 2019, filmmaker Werner Herzog has two projects that couldn’t be further apart. First, he has his upcoming documentary, “Meeting Gorbachev,” which made the fall film festival rounds and is finally coming to theaters soon. And if you’re more of a sci-fi/fantasy film fan, and not so much a political documentary person, he’s also going to show up in the upcoming “Star Wars” live-action series “The Mandalorian.” And recently, he spoke about both, explaining why he chose “Star Wars” and why the world needs to relax more with Russia.
In a new interview with IndieWire, which accompanies the trailer for the upcoming doc “Meeting Gorbachev,” Herzog talks about his political hopes for his film, which as the title suggests, features an extensive interview with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
“I think it is a mistake to demonize Russia,” said Herzog. “We have to look at Russia in the way we looked at Russia when Gorbachev was around. And I do believe that we should improve relations with Russia and I’m speaking ‘we,’ I’m speaking of Europe and you have to talk about the United States.”
You can go to IndieWire and watch the full trailer for the doc, which we saw at the Toronto International Film Festival and we called it “one of the most important documentaries of the year because it still feels fresh and relevant to our times.”
But as mentioned, ‘Gorbachev’ isn’t the only project upcoming for Herzog. He’s got a date with a galaxy far, far away later this year, as he is expected to show up in “The Mandalorian.” And it appears, from what the filmmaker is saying, he’s not going to be one of the good guys.
“Now this is not a secret anymore, a small part, real small part, in ‘The Mandalorian,’ the ‘Star Wars’ sequel or whatever you call it. I like to do it because I know I’m good on screen, but only if I have to play a real villain,” revealed the filmmaker.
We have no clue as to what villain Herzog might portray in the “Star Wars” spin-off series, but we might get an idea next month when Star Wars Celebration comes to Chicago, and with it, a full panel devoted to the new series (which will probably include some information, no doubt).
“The Mandalorian” is expected to launch with Disney+ in “late 2019,” while “Meeting Gorbachev” is expected to hit theaters on May 3.