How Fans Are Changing Franchise Films
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 10
Fans are no longer just a by-product of franchise films—they’re shaping them. From influencing plot lines to creating viral content, passionate fans have become integral to the filmmaking process. Here’s how they’re changing the way movies are made and marketed.
Gone are the days when movie studios made films in isolation, hoping they’d land with audiences. Now, fan communities have a loud voice in the conversation, and their influence on franchise films is undeniable. Whether it’s through social media, fan theories, or viral fan content, passionate movie lovers are leaving their mark on the very films they adore.
So, how exactly are these fan communities reshaping franchise films? Grab a cup of tea (or popcorn), and let’s dive in!
🔮Shaping Plotlines and Character Arcs
Franchise films now closely follow fan feedback, often tweaking plots or characters based on what audiences love (or don’t). Studios are listening—and fan communities are helping shape what hits the screen.
Fan Feedback - Fans often shout out their desires for character arcs, and sometimes, their requests are heard.
Social Media Influence - On platforms like Twitter and Reddit, fan theories and requests can go viral, sparking discussions among filmmakers and writers.
🎬 Example:
Take Star Wars: fans loudly debated Luke Skywalker’s sequel trilogy arc. While not every request was granted, fan feedback clearly influenced how future stories and characters were handled.
📚Expanding the Story Beyond the Screen
Franchises now live beyond the screen, with fans expanding universes through fanfiction, art, and original stories, adding depth, filling gaps, and keeping the worlds alive between official instalments.
Fanfiction - Fans create new stories, exploring what happens next or imagining alternate realities for their favourite characters.
Fan Art and Merchandise - The community’s creations often get picked up by the filmmakers, influencing official merchandise or even inspiring new designs.
🎬 Example: Take Harry Potter: even after the books and films ended, fans have kept the world alive through fanfiction, art, and cosplay—extending the magic beyond what was shown on screen.
📽️Engaging with the Filmmaking Process
In the digital age, fans don’t just consume content—they interact with it. More and more franchise films are incorporating fan engagement into their creative process, from crowdsourcing ideas to hosting fan-based competitions. Studios want to make sure their fans feel involved, and fan communities are loving the chance to be a part of something bigger.
Crowdsourced Creativity - Some films even involve fans in creative decisions, from designing posters to suggesting storyline twists.
Fan Voting - Think of those viral polls asking fans to choose their favourite characters, ships, or actors to be in the next movie. This creates buzz and can influence marketing decisions.
🎬 Example:
Deadpool 2 (2018) involved fans by encouraging them to create art. Some fan pieces were featured in official marketing, making it a collaborative experience between the filmmakers and the audience.
🤔The Rise of Fan Theories and Speculation
Fan communities reshape franchise films through theory crafting, with fans speculating, analyzing trailers, and predicting plot twists. Their theories often influence the direction and storytelling of upcoming movies.
Spoilers - Sometimes fan theories are so on point that they end up shaping what filmmakers choose to reveal or keep secret.
Building Excitement - Fan speculation gets people talking and excited for the next release, creating a buzz around the franchise before the movie even hits theatres.
🎬 Example: In The Matrix Resurrections (2021), fans crafted theories about how Neo and Trinity would return, with many predicting the use of digital simulations or alternate realities. Some fan theories closely matched the film's surprising twists.
🛍️Cultivating a New Kind of Marketing
Fan communities are reshaping how films are marketed. While traditional ads remain, studios now blend them with fan-driven content, social media buzz, and interactive campaigns to deepen engagement.
Viral Campaigns - Studios love to see fan-made memes, videos, and art go viral, using these grassroots marketing efforts to their advantage.
Influencers - Franchise films now collaborate with social media influencers and YouTubers to drum up excitement for upcoming releases, making fans feel like they’re part of the process.
🎬 Example:
It: Chapter Two (2019) invited fans to share scary stories and explore immersive haunted house experiences, turning marketing into a fan-driven, interactive event that built major buzz.
🌟Keeping the Legacy Alive
Franchise films are often generational—fans pass on their love for certain films to their kids, keeping the legacy alive. The way these communities stay passionate, even decades after the release of the original films, shows how powerful their influence can be on future instalments.
Legacy Films - Fans often push for sequels, reboots, or spin-offs for films they grew up loving.
Inter-Generational Fandom - The power of these fan communities isn’t just about current generations—young fans today still love films from the 80s and 90s, keeping franchises alive across generations.
🎬 Example: Ghostbusters is a fan-fuelled legacy. Through cosplay, conventions, and creative content, fans kept the spirit alive—helping inspire Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), a heartfelt nod to the original films and fandom.
🌟The Fans Are In Charge Now
In today’s entertainment world, fans aren’t just watching—they’re shaping. By engaging with creators, they help steer storylines and strengthen the connection between franchises and their audiences.
How Fans Are Changing Franchise Films
