Michael J. Fox on whether there should be a Back to the Future reboot

Virgin Radio

16 May 2023, 06:43

It’s one of the most beloved films of all-time, but should Back to the Future be given the reboot treatment? The trilogy’s lead actor, Michael J. Fox, has had his say on the matter.

Whilst no immediate plans to remake the 1985 science-fiction classic are in the offing, Fox - who played time-traveller Marty McFly - has questioned whether a reboot would “find a better way to tell the story”.

The first film saw teenage McFly accidentally sent back to 1955 in a DeLorean time-machine built by his mad scientist pal Emmett "Doc" Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd). While there, he inadvertently prevents his parents from falling in love, which threatens his own future existence, leading to a hectic scramble to reconcile them. You know the rest… the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, Johnny B. Goode, I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it, and so on.

The film spawned two sequels, the first taking Marty and Doc to a futuristic 2015, and the final episode set in the Wild West of 1985.

When speaking to Variety in a new interview about his life and career, the actor explained that he is “not fanatical,” about whether the film should be remade, and said: “Do what you want. It’s your movie. I got paid already.”

However, he also said that “I don’t think it needs to be.” 

Talking about whether director and writer Robert Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale would be keen on the idea, he said: “I think Bob and Bob 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 actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, and retired from acting in 2020.

A new documentary about the star’s life has recently landed on Apple TV+. Called Still, the film incorporates documentary, archival and scripted elements and tells Fox’s story in his own words.

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie is now streaming on Apple TV+.