A character besides Marty McFly played by Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, including main cast like Fox, Lea Thompson, and Thomas F. Wilson.

Aside from some obvious Back to the Future 4 should not happen - played Marty across all three films and was the fulcrum of the entire story. Not only that, but Fox also played other characters, with one from Back to the Future Part III being teased in the first movie.

Marty's Grandmother Sets Up Michael J. Fox Playing Seamus McFly In Back To The Future Part III

Marty's Family History Actually Makes Sense Thanks To Fox's Dual Role

Michael J fFox as Seamus mMcfly in Back to the Future Part 3

As alluded to, Michael J. Fox portrays Marty McFly across all three films but has several other roles. Fox also plays Marty McFly Jr. and Marlene McFly in Back to the Future Part II, as well as Seamus McFly in Back to the Future Part III. Interestingly, a subtle line that seemed like somewhat of a plot hole in the first movie actually foreshadowed Fox playing the latter role.

BTTF Actors With Multiple Roles

Characters

Michael J. Fox

Marty McFly, Marty McFly Jr., Marlene McFly, Seamus McFly

Lea Thompson

Lorraine Baines-McFly, Maggie McFly

Thomas F. Wilson
Biff Tannen, Griff Tannen, Gertrude Tannen, Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen

James Tolkan
Principal Gerald Strickland, U.S. Marshal James Strickland

Donald Fullilove

Goldie Wilson, Goldie Wilson III

The line in question comes when Marty is having dinner with Lorraine's family, his future grandparents, back in 1955. Marty's grandmother says he looks familiar, which, to the audience, is a nod to the fact that he is her grandson in the future. However, this makes little sense, as Marty is a complete stranger to the Baines family in 1955. Although there could be a subtle, ing resemblance to Lorraine, for example, it would likely be unnoticeable.

It could be argued that Marty's grandmother saw a photo of Seamus that has been ed down through the family, explaining why she made the connection between the two...

That said, Fox's role as Seamus McFly in Back to the Future Part III could explain why Marty's grandmother recognized him. It could be argued that Marty's grandmother saw a photo of Seamus, likely her grandfather, that has been ed down through the family, explaining why she made the connection between the two as both are played by Fox. Not only does this make sense of the line from Back to the Future, but it proves that the first film foreshadowed Fox's other role five years before the third movie was released.

Back To The Future's Expert Foreshadowing Is One Reason The Trilogy Is So Great To Rewatch

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) wearing a cowboy hat in Back to the Future Part III and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) in Back to the Future
Custom image by Yeider Chacon

This subtle detail, among countless others, proves how expert Back to the Future's foreshadowing is. This makes the trilogy one of the best to rewatch, as audiences can continuously pick up on the subtle ways the filmmakers teased what was to come. From the figurine in 1985 that depicts Doc's clocktower fall from the ending of the first movie to the explanation for the Statler family's wealth in the first movie being found in Back to the Future Part III, the Easter eggs and hidden story elements included are all but endless.

imagery-from-Back-To-The-Future
Related
Back To The Future: 10 Hidden Story Clues You Probably Missed

It is well known that the Back to the Future trilogy contains all kinds of incredible story setups and payoffs, but these 10 may be the most subtle.

2

These elements being teased with minimal effort is what makes the Back to the Future franchise so enjoyable. One of the elements that enabled this foreshadowing to work so well was the production of Back to the Future Part II and Part III. These films were shot back-to-back, meaning the intentional crossover and foreshadowing between both was done intentionally. With this in mind, connections between the first movie and Back to the Future Part III are made even more impressive as subtle details, such as the tease of Michael J. Fox's Seamus McFly role.

back to the future 3

Your Rating

Rate Now
Back to the Future Part III
pg-13
Sci-Fi
Comedy
21
8.6/10
Release Date
May 25, 1990
Runtime
118minutes
Director
Robert Zemeckis

Cast

See All

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
RENT
BUY

The final entry in Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's timeless trilogy, Back to the Future Part III wraps up Marty McFly and Doc Brown's adventures through time when Marty travels to 1885's Wild West to save his mentor, meeting Biff Tannen's ancestor "Mad Dog" and almost changing the course of history once again along the way.

Writers
Robert Zemeckis