George Lucas's influences
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
Contents |
[edit] Monomyth
When coming up with his original vision for Star Wars, George Lucas was heavily influenced by the work of Joseph Campbell, a renowned thinker who popularized the idea of the archetypal hero's journey.
In his The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949), Campbell argued that important myths from around the world all share a fundamental structure, which Campbell dubbed the monomyth. This fundamental structure contains a number of stages, including:
- 1. A call to adventure, which the hero has to accept or decline
- 2. A road of trials, in which the hero succeeds or fails
- 3. Achieving the goal or "boon," which often results in important self-knowledge
- 4. A return to the ordinary world, again as to which the hero can succeed or fail
- 5. Application of the knowledge in which what the hero has gained can be used to improve the world.
George Lucas's conscious use of Campbell's theory as a guide for the Star Wars movies is well-documented. In addition to the extensive discussion between Campbell and Bill Moyers, broadcast in 1988 on PBS as The Power of Myth (filmed at "Skywalker Ranch"), on Campbell's influence on the Star Wars films, Lucas gave an extensive interview for the biography Joseph Campbell: A Fire in the Mind (Larsen and Larsen, 2002, pages 541-543) on this topic.
[edit] Films
Several films also influenced George Lucas while making Star Wars.
One major influence is The Hidden Fortress. Like Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the story is told from the points of view of the film's lowliest characters. The relationship of R2-D2 and C-3PO is very similar to that of Tahei and Matakichi. The characters of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Princess Leia mirror those of the general Rokurota Makabe and Princess Yukihime. Yukihime's technique of disguising herself as a peasant is mirrored in The Phantom Menace by Queen Amidala, who disguises herself as the handmaiden Padmé. Early in the development of Star Wars, George Lucas even considered Toshiro Mifune for the role of Obi-Wan.
Another influence is Flash Gordon. Lucas actually intended to make another Flash Gordon movie, but when he could not get permission, he was forced to "settle" for Star Wars. One concept borrowed from Flash Gordon is the blending of futuristic science, and traditional magic, first invented by H.G. Wells.
Dune also helped influence Lucas, albeit minorly. The planet Tatooine is similar to Arrakis, and spice also plays a role in Dune.
The opening shot is reminiscent of 2001:A Space Odyssey.
Isaac Asimov's Foundation series features the fall of a Galactic Empire, hyperspace, city-planets, and other story elements similar to those in Star Wars. The names Corellia and Corell may refer to the Korellian Republic of the Foundation novels.
[edit] Religion
It is also notable that much of the Jedi philosophy is reminiscent of Buddhist and Hindu teachings, such as meditation and inner peace. The fact that Anakin is the chosen one is taken from the messianic belief in Judeo-Christianty. Plus the way Luke was delievered to the Lars is right out of the story of Moses and the Jewish holiday of Passover.
