From Star Wars to LOTR: The Creators and Craftsmanship Behind Legendary Fandoms

64% of respondents report that their choice fandom is “a defining part of their identity,” a global study commissioned by Amazon Ads and Twitch Ads reveals. For many who identify as part of a fandom, key elements like escapism and endless lore continue to captivate audiences decades after their original inception. When it comes to some of the most popular fandoms out there, however, many may not consider the craftspeople and their stories behind their greatest creations. From how George Lucas came up with the idea for Star Wars to the influences behind the creation of the Lord of the Rings (not to mention how Star Trek began), the rich history behind such ideas sheds light on some of the most popular fandoms of our time.

The development of the Star Wars empire

Perhaps one of the most popular and identifiable fandoms out there today, the Star Wars franchise created by filmmaker George Lucas boasts a unique and storied beginning. In the early 70s, Lucas set out to expand on an idea for a “space-opera” type of film — an idea that Lucas and creative partner and film producer Gary Kurtz had in the works since 1971. “The story was based on outer-space adventures like those of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers,” explains the Biography article by B. Myint, which goes on to note that these adventures were a significant influence on Lucas in his early years. In regard to the scene of the sci-fi genre at the time, it’s noted that Lucas was driven to come up with something far more distinctive. Myint cites one interview in which Lucas elaborated on his desire to create a film for young individuals that fostered creative imagination (in the faraway environment that is space, of course).

For many members of the Star Wars fandom, elements of escapism coupled with thoughtful storylines and characters are all a part of the appeal. It’s crucial to note that the creative process of the original 1977 Star Wars film (which was later retitled as Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope) wasn’t without extensive thought, as it took multiple drafts before the movie was made. Today, however, the success of Star Wars extends far, far beyond the galaxy of the original 1977 movie — as of 2025, there are now 12 films that consist of the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and the sequel trilogy (these nine are collectively known as the Skywalker Saga), in addition to two anthology films and one animated movie. The franchise extends beyond this, however, with several television series, books, and comics (and of course, plenty of merchandise, too). 

As the creator of Star Wars, George Lucas has long played a variety of valuable roles throughout the franchise. For example, he was the screenwriter, producer, and director for the first movie, and founded the production company Lucasfilm in addition to the digital studio Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) — to highlight just a few (of many) accomplishments. With that in mind, it’s important to note that there have been other key craftspeople involved along the way. For example, while Lucas was the writer of the 1977 Star Wars film, Gary Kurtz was the producer. And, when it comes to the music of the franchise, the work of composer John Williams goes hand in hand with Lucas’ work, as he is able to bring the ideas to life through powerful and original tracks. Whether it’s the classic cadence of Cantina Band or the high-powered rhythm of The Imperial March, there’s no question that the music of John Williams remains as a keystone identifier to the franchise.

The creativity behind LOTR

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy resulted in an impressive $2.99 billion at the box office, according to a 2020 article from Variety. While Jackson is largely responsible for bringing the LOTR universe to life in the 21st century, however, the films were based on the famous book written by none other than J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s worth noting that the LOTR book was originally intended to serve as a sequel to the author’s 1937 book The Hobbit, there’s no question that the Lord of the Rings novel has taken on a persona of its own. The LOTR book was originally published back in 1954, consisting of a high fantasy realm that places Hobbits and the One Ring at the forefront of the story. Complete with complexities such as the fantasy world of Middle Earth and languages that were constructed by Tolkien himself, the LOTR boasts several layers that have long held the attention of an audience from the original novel to Jackson’s films. 

One 2022 BBC article by Hephzibah Anderson unearths the rich history behind Tolkien’s LOTR, noting that the author’s inspiration may have likely come from a variety of influences and interests. These influences and interests range from Nordic sagas to medieval elements, and even books that he read in his youth (such as the Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang). His passion for historic language study also factors into the lore found in the LOTR universe, as he studied Germanic languages, Old English, and Welsh (to highlight just a few). While Tolkien himself passed back in 1973, the LOTR universe continues to live on in one of the most prolific fandoms today — in fact, one Variety article highlights an upcoming LOTR movie from Warner Bros. titled ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ is set to release in 2026.

Star Trek’s unique evolution 

Unlike the Lord of the Rings, Star Trek is a fandom that originated from a TV series. Created by American screenwriter Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek (The Original Series) first aired back in 1966, with a premise that revolves around the crew upon the starship USS Enterprise and their adventures throughout space. As for the concept itself, Roddenberry is said to have been inspired by Westerns and science fiction — one Collider article notes that the 1957-1965 series Wagon Train played a significant role as an influence. While the original Star Trek series was set in the 23rd century and depicted strong identifying elements like futurism and space exploration, it nevertheless remained connected to the 60s and managed to touch on several powerful issues of the time throughout storylines (like war and peace). Optimism is another key element found within the Star Trek universe, which remains one of the many alluring aspects about the franchise.

Like many creations, Star Trek was filmed in Los Angeles, California. States like California remain a hotspot for work opportunities, from filmmaking to manual labor — in fact, California is among the top three states in the country for those in the handyman profession, thanks to consistent elements like strong real estate markets and demand for brick-and-mortar businesses. On the filmmaking side of things, Los Angeles is particularly ideal due to the agreeable climate (which presents more opportunities for filming) in addition to an ever-growing web of connections for those in the industry. 

Roddenberry’s career is a great example of the opportunities that Hollywood presents. While he drafted the concept of Star Trek back in 1964, there wasn’t an immediate offer for the series, and it ultimately wasn’t greenlit until 1966 by NBC. While the series was canceled due to low Nielsen ratings in 1969 (making for a three-season run), the concept lived on via syndicated reruns, though Star Trek didn’t end there. Over time, the Star Trek universe extended with major success to an animated series (which premiered in 1973), as well as several feature films. Known for meaningful storylines, the Vulcan salute, ‘Live Long and Prosper,’ and memorable characters that range from Spock to Captain Kirk (and beyond), the Star Trek universe still stands as a classic fandom that maintains its fascination among Trekkies even today. 

From the Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, fandoms have long captivated large audiences with elements of escapism and alluring storylines. Whether you’re a longtime fan or have recently gotten into Star Wars, LOTR, or identify as a Trekkie, many may not realize the fundamental role that creators have in the empires that continue to captivate audiences decades later.