Werner Herzog has never heard of The Simpsons

Batty German auteur Werner Herzog has taken another unexpected career diversion: he'll provide a guest voice on The Simpsons .

Although, despite the fact the iconic animation has sat atop the pop-culture throne for the last 20 years, the Fitzcarraldo director has never heard of Springfield's first family.

Herzog said of the situation: "I was very surprised when they approached me because I thought The Simpsons was a newspaper cartoon.

"So when they called, I said, 'Do a voice? I don't understand, it's a TV programme?' They thought I was joking... but I was not."

He's known for immersing himself completely in his filmmaking projects: perhaps this is how Homer and co have eluded him for so long.

Although he works primarily as a director, Herzog has acted before. Check out his role in Robin Williams' misguided after-life adventure What Dreams May Come for evidence.

We can't wait to see what he'll do on The Simpsons ...

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