Michael J. Fox is getting candid about Back to the Future's legacy. While Fox has had a prolific career, his role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future franchise remains his most iconic performance. Marty's time-traveling adventures with Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) continue to be a staple of popular culture, inspiring the ongoing Rick and Morty television series and Back to the Future: The Musical that performed in England and will soon make its Broadway debut.
While promoting his new documentary Still, Fox spoke with Variety about Back to the Future's enduring legacy. There are many strange elements throughout the franchise, even when just examining the premise of the original movie. Given this, Fox has a unique theory on why he believes Back to the Future continues to have a strong legacy. Read his comments below:
"There’s something about it that people still respond to because it’s so weird… Not to be crude, but it’s a movie about almost f—ng your mom and she’s totally ready for it. Even at the time, I realized it was bizarre — plus Lea was pretty cute."
Will Back To The Future 4 Ever Happen?
Given Back to the Future's ongoing popularity, there have naturally been questions about whether there could be a fourth movie in the franchise, especially in an age where many beloved franchises are being revived. Fox has had Parkinson's disease since 1991 and Lloyd is now 84, but both are still working in the entertainment industry, most recently with Fox sharing his story in Still and Lloyd appearing in episodes of The Mandalorian and A Million Little Things.
Despite these promising factors, Back to the Future director/co-writer Robert Zemeckis and co-producer/co-writer Bob Gale have made it clear that Back to the Future 4 will never happen. They had it written in their contracts that a new movie cannot happen without their permission and have been open that such permission will never be given. Zemeckis and Gale are adamant that their trilogy told a complete story and there is no need to create an additional sequel.
Back to the Future 4 never happening may seem disappointing, but it is ultimately for the best. Zemeckis and Gale told a complete story that had its fair share of memorably weird moments. There is no better way to end the Back to the Future franchise than with Doc Brown's line "your future is whatever you make of it. So make it a good one." Not every beloved franchise needs to be revived. The iconic performances from Fox and Lloyd will be forever cherished and don't have to be tarnished by an unnecessary sequel.
Source: Variety
