As "Back to the Future" celebrates its 40th anniversary, Michael J. Fox is reflecting on the film's enduring legacy and his personal journey with the iconic role of Marty McFly. Released on July 3, 1985, the Robert Zemeckis-directed film quickly became a cultural phenomenon, holding the number one spot at the box office for 11 of its first 12 weeks.
The film follows Marty McFly, a small-town California teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a DeLorean time machine invented by his eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. Stranded in the past, Marty must ensure his teenage parents fall in love to secure his own existence.
In a recent interview, Fox, now 64, shared his thoughts on the film's lasting impact. "I'll be on the street, and some kid will go, 'There's Marty McFly!'" Fox said. "No, this is an old man." Despite battling Parkinson's disease, Fox's boyish charm remains undiminished, and he acknowledges that "Back to the Future" has been an integral part of his life. "Sometimes I look at it and think about my family," Fox said. "I think about how I have a 37-year-old son who wasn't born yet. It's a long time ago".
The 40th-anniversary celebrations include a theatrical re-release of the film, allowing audiences to experience the magic on the big screen once again. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has also released a 4K Ultra HD trilogy gift set, complete with a collectible OUTATIME license plate. For fans seeking a deeper dive, Fox has also released "Future Boy: 'Back to the Future' and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum," a memoir co-written with Nelle Fortenberry.
Reflecting on the film's enduring appeal, Fox notes that "The distance between now and 1985 is greater than the distance between 1985 and 1955,". "In a way, that makes it more accessible. People aren't locked into their time period. They're not saying: This is real, this isn't real. It's all fantasy".
Fox also reminisced about filming one of the most challenging scenes in the movie. After Marty returns to 1985, he finds Doc Brown and breaks down, believing Libyan terrorists killed him. However, Doc reveals he wore a bulletproof vest after reading Marty's warning note from the future. Fox told Parade that even executive producer Steven Spielberg was unsure if the then 23-year-old Fox could pull off the emotionally heavy scene. "He didn't think I'd be able to do it," Fox said. "It's like I had to go from 90 miles per hour and just drop and be like, 'My friend is dead.' It's a morose moment".
While "Back to the Future Part II" made several accurate predictions about the technology of 2015, Fox laments the absence of one particular invention: flying cars. "I thought flying cars would be here," he told Parade.
Despite the missing flying cars, the film's core themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery continue to resonate with audiences of all ages. As Fox puts it, his character Marty McFly is an "Everykid ur-text," a relatable teenager trying to navigate life and keep his family together.
As "Back to the Future" enters its fifth decade, its impact on pop culture remains undeniable. From the DeLorean time machine to the iconic soundtrack, the film has left an indelible mark on generations, and Michael J. Fox's portrayal of Marty McFly continues to inspire and entertain.
