The concept originated from 501st Legion member Benoît Lambert (TK-2054), and it turned into a top-secret Lucasfilm-sanctioned project, the making of which took nearly two years. In 2005, FanWars' commander TK-9999 decided to approach Lucasfilm and spoke of the project with Steve Sansweet. A FanWars team the created a file about air balloons and how special shapes could be created for movie advertising. When all the preliminary questions were answered, Lucasfilm gave the green light for a Darth Vader's helmet-shaped balloon a few weeks later.