Could There Ever Be a Back to the Future 4? Recasting Marty and Doc Brown

Could There Ever Be a Back to the Future 4?

Back to the Future is one of the most beloved film franchises of all time. The original 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown was a huge hit and spawned two successful sequels in 1989 and 1990.

Over the years there has been plenty of speculation and rumors about a possible Back to the Future 4. However, director Robert Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale have repeatedly said they will not make another sequel, stating they fear it would "ruin the perfect trilogy."

Why a Back to the Future 4 Will Probably Never Happen

Here are some of the key reasons why we likely won't see a Back to the Future 4 anytime soon, if ever:

• Michael J. Fox's health issues from Parkinson's disease make it difficult for him to take on a big role like playing Marty McFly again.
• Christopher Lloyd is now in his 80s, so returning as Doc Brown would also be challenging.
• The ending of Back to the Future Part III tied up the story nicely, so there's no organic need for a sequel from a story perspective.
• Zemeckis and Gale have creative control and won't approve a sequel.
• The passing of time means much of the original cast is getting older or has sadly passed away.

For these reasons, it seems very unlikely we'll ever get another proper sequel with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd back in the starring roles of Marty and Doc.

What Would Back to the Future 4 Be About?

That said, let's imagine for a moment that a Back to the Future 4 did get made someday. What might the plot be?

Since Back to the Future Part II jumped ahead to the future year of 2015, one possibility could be to set a new sequel even farther into the future. Perhaps Doc builds a new time machine that can travel to the year 2050 or 2100. This could allow the movie to speculate on future technology while also giving it a fresh setting compared to the previous films.

Another option could be to go back into the past before the 1985 setting of the first movie. For example, maybe Marty gets transported back to 1955 again, or even further back to the 1920s. This would allow the movie to explore new time periods through Marty's adventures.

Or they could pick up right where Part III left off, following Doc and his new family as they take the time train to other eras. The possibilities are infinite with time travel!

Casting a Modern Back to the Future 4

Since Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd are not likely to star in a new sequel, who could play Marty and Doc if Back to the Future 4 ever got a modern reboot?

For Marty McFly, Cole Sprouse could be an interesting choice. He showed off his comedic chops on the sitcom Riverdale and has some similarities to Michael J. Fox.

As for the new Doc Brown, Jim Carrey feels like he'd be well-suited to channel Christopher Lloyd's zany mad scientist performance. Carrey has proven skilled at out-there physical comedy in films like Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber.

Meanwhile, classic Back to the Future bully Biff Tannen would need a new face too. An actor like Chris Pratt could be funny as an over-the-top jerk version of Biff.

And Claudia Wells or Elisabeth Shue could easily be replaced by a current star like Zendaya or Brie Larson as Marty's mother Lorraine Baines.

The Back to the Future Legacy

Even if we never get a theatrical Back to the Future 4, the original trilogy has left an incredible legacy that continues to impact pop culture.

Fans still make DeLoreans look like Doc's time machine. The films' iconic costumes remain popular for Halloween. Terms like "Flux Capacitor" have become part of the lexicon. And the timeless story still holds up wonderfully after over 3 decades.

For these reasons, the Back to the Future franchise seems destined to keep finding new generations of fans who will discover Marty's adventures for years to come. So even without a new sequel, the series has cemented its place as one of the greatest blockbuster trilogies ever made.

The future remains unwritten, as Doc would say. So while a Back to the Future 4 is highly unlikely at this point, maybe someday the right elements will align to revisit this beloved cinematic world once more. For now, we'll always have the classic originals to enjoy over and over again.

FAQs

Is a Back to the Future 4 movie really going to happen?

No, there are currently no confirmed plans to make a Back to the Future 4. Director Robert Zemeckis has said he would not approve a new sequel. However, never say never - there is always a chance it could happen someday if the right conditions aligned.

What would the plot be for a new Back to the Future movie?

While no plot is set for a hypothetical Back to the Future 4, possibilities include going to the future year of 2050 or 2100, revisiting the 1955 setting, or picking up after Part 3 with Doc's family time traveling. The time machine could take Marty and Doc anywhere!

Who could play Marty McFly in a remake?

Michael J. Fox is unlikely to return as Marty McFly due to health reasons. Young actors like Cole Sprouse or Timothée Chalamet could potentially take over the iconic role in a reboot.

Is Christopher Lloyd too old to play Doc Brown again?

Christopher Lloyd is in his 80s now, so he may not be able to reprise his eccentric Doc Brown role. But the character is so connected to him that any reboot would have big shoes to fill. Jim Carrey could be an interesting recasting choice.

Why don't Zemeckis and Gale want to make a new sequel?

Director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale have said they worry a new sequel could tarnish the perfect trilogy they created. Since the first 3 films tell a complete story, they don't see a creative need to continue the franchise.