It seems every year there’s a handful of classic movies and TV shows that get a reboot, and they’re either met with much fanfare or dismay.
One series that doesn’t need a reboot is Back to the Future, at least that’s what Michael J. Fox believes.
“I don’t think it needs to be,” Fox told Variety. “I think Bob and Bob [Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale] have been really smart about that. I don’t think it needs rebooting because are you going to clarify something? You’re going to find a better way to tell the story? I doubt it.”
The 61-year-old said he’s not “fanatical” about the idea of a reboot, but if someone ever decided to pursue a Part IV, “Do what you want. It’s your movie. I got paid already.”
The Back to the Future franchise began in 1985 when the first film premiered and became an international hit. It led to a second and third film.
Despite it’s popularity, co-writer and director Robert Zemeckis stated the franchise wouldn’t expand past the trilogy and he would block any attempts at a reboot.
Bob Gale, who co-wrote the films, agreed and in 2008 said the franchise could not exist without Marty McFly, and the only person who could play McFly was Fox.
“The idea of making another Back to the Future movie without Michael J. Fox – you know, that’s like saying, ‘I’m going to cook you a steak dinner and I’m going to hold the beef.'” Gale said.
Even if there was interest in a fourth installment, Fox commented he was in the beginning stages of Parkinson’s following the third film, “so I don’t know that I would have wanted to take that on.”
While Fox may be not be keen on seeing another Back to the Future film, his co-star Christopher Lloyd wouldn’t mind starring as Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown one more time.
Lloyd starred in a 2015 direct-to-video short film to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
“I would love to do a sequel, but I think Bob Zemeckis and [producer Steven] Spielberg felt that they told the story in the three episodes,” he said. “But if somebody has a brilliant idea that would justify a fourth film it might happen.”
“There was a certain ease between us,” Lloyd said reflecting on his relationship with Fox. “I didn’t have to struggle get there with Michael. There was never any conflict. It just fit. And it’s never stopped. I feel like we could go and do it again after all these years and not have to think about the relationship between Marty and Doc.”
Although there’s a slim chance we’ll ever see a Part IV, Lloyd and Fox have reunited several times over the years at various conventions where they’ve shared insight into the popular franchise.
It might not necessarily be a reboot, but Back to the Future The Musical hits Broadway June 30, 2023.
Do you think Back to the Future should be redone with a new cast or should it be left alone?
READ MORE:
- Michael J. Fox reveals Back to the Future taught him to ‘appreciate life more’
- Michael J. Fox reunites with his ‘Back to the Future’ co-star Christopher Lloyd
