Star Wars and Dune are known as two of the most popular sci-fi franchises in the world. However, some sci-fi fans might not be as familiar with the series that inspired many modern sci-fi stories, those two included. Isaac Asimov's Foundation book series, which has now been adapted into an Apple TV+ show, is known for being the genesis for a good number of sci-fi properties that were released after its publication. In the original teaser for the show, executive producer and showrunner David Goyer states "People have been trying to make Foundation for over 50 years. Foundation was an enormous influence for Star Wars. It was the greatest science fiction work of all time."
Foundation is primarily about the fall of a pre-established Galactic Empire, with the main focus of the book being the changes in society over multiple centuries instead of individual characters. The series focuses on a mathematician called Hari Seldon, who develops a statistical process that helps him predict the future of his society. Seldon learns that the Galactic Empire is in the process of collapse and that there will be a 30,000 year period of chaos until the next empire rises. He believes that he can shorten this period of chaos to 1,000 years, and so he creates two Foundations on opposite sides of the galaxy to help create the second empire.
Star Wars also features a Galactic Empire as the main conflict of the original series, and Return of the Jedi ends with Luke Skywalker supposedly killing Emperor Palpatine and watching over Darth Vader as he dies, essentially ending the rule of the Empire. The sequels show the emergence and eventual demise of a new Galactic Empire, ruled by Kylo Ren. Although some fans argue that the Star Wars prequels focus on the creation of the Galactic Empire as opposed to Foundation's pre-established Empire, Foundation's influence on the original trilogy of Star Wars is undeniable.
Dune, which has a Galactic Empire at the forefront of its story, also mirrors Foundation because the story centers on the fall of civilization, as it focuses on the conflict between Houses Atreides and Harkonnen. Leto II, Paul Atreides' son, assumes the title of God-Emperor in God Emperor of Dune, and uses his power to lead the Empire to a prosperous future, similar to how the Foundations shape the future to diminish the period of chaos between Empires. However, the importance of Paul is where Dune differs from Foundation. Foundation's concentration on the changes in the galaxy as a whole instead of focusing on one main character sets it apart from most modern sci-fi stories.
Foundation has even inspired less serious sci-fi stories like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy includes an Encyclopedia Galactica, which is a clear reference to the Encyclopedia Galactica in Foundation. In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the Encyclopedia Galactica is a respectable and expensive book that doesn't sell as well as the Guide. In Foundation, the Encyclopedia Galactica is a reference guide for all the knowledge gained by the Galactic Empire, and an entry from the Encyclopedia Galactica appears in every Foundation book. However, Foundation's Encyclopedia Galactica is later revealed to be a fraud -- Seldon learns that the Encyclopedia only exists to be completed and that nobody is actually using the knowledge that has been recorded in it.
Foundation has recently been adapted for the screen by Apple TV+. The plot of the show does appear to deviate from the books, as it focuses on several central characters instead of giving an overview of the fall of the Galactic Empire from an outside perspective. While most of the characters in the Foundation TV show were also included in the books, they were not as important to the story in Asimov's original series. Brother Dawn, Brother Day and Brother Dusk are also new additions to the Foundation TV show.
It could be argued that this change in perspective is a result of the popularity of Star Wars and Dune. However, in an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Goyer claims "I wanted there to be consistent faces, even if they’re different characters. So, I came up with this idea that the Empire is a series of clones of one man that they keep recycling over and over again." Although the influence of Star Wars and Dune may have been underlying this decision, the main reason behind the introduction of the clone dynasty is to keep audiences engaged in the development of the show.