TheBack to the Futurefranchise was a smash hit, but the story never progressed beyondBack to the Future Part III. Of course, many would have been thrilled ifBack to the Future 4had become a reality. These movies are cult classics, and the fact that Marty McFly’s story revolves around time travel makes a sequel possible in just about any decade. According toBack to the Futurecreators Rober Zemeckis and Bob Gale, Universal has continued to poke and prod them for another movie to continue the story. However,Back to the Future 4has yet to happen.
Back to the Futurewas initially meant to be a standalone movie. While the cliffhanger ending perfectly set up a sequel, Doc’s sudden return with afuturistically upgraded DeLoreanwas only supposed to be a clever and comical ending. However, the firstBack to the Futuremovie’s $212 million success at the domestic box officeinspired a continued story. From there, two additional films were planned.Back to the FuturePart IIandBack to the Future Part IIIweren’t quite as successful at the box office as the first, but the overarching franchise was still a hit. So,could there be a future here?
The Back To The Future Creators Were Done After Part III
Zemeckis has been open (viaVariety) about Universal wanting moreBack to the Futuremovies. He says they periodically ask if there is any way he and Gale could continue the story, but these creators have maintained that they are not interested. If this is how they feel today, thenthe pair most definitely weren’t eager to make anotherBack to the Futuremovie afterBack to the Future Part IIIwrapped up the story. Zemeckis and Gale did their three, and, as far as they were concerned, that was the end of it.
Zemeckis said that he would gladly adapt theBack to the FutureBroadway musical to the screen, but Universal won’t go for it.
Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s story had a satisfying ending inBack to the Future Part III, and it seems that Zemeckis and Gale aren’t interested in reopening that can of worms. The story has been told, and these movie-makers have completed this particular piece of art. It’s a rather successful one, too—Back to the Futurehas maintained its legacy for decades, and if it isn’t broke, it shouldn’t be fixed. Still, there is something tantalizing about the fact that Universal would likely greenlightBack to the Future 4if it could. As it is, the studio has no power over the matter since Zemeckis and Gale own the rights.
Zemeckis & Gale Have Also Prevented Back To The Future From Being Remade
A Remake Isn’t Likely To Happen Any Time Soon (If At All)
BecauseBack to the Future’s creators hold the rights to the story,Universal can’t do anything without their approval. It’s for this reason that the studio periodically checks back with Zemeckis and Gale since their green light is the only one that matters. However, the pair remained steadfast in their decision. Outside ofBack to the Future: The Musical, Zemeckis has made it clear that he won’t give his blessing. The pair won’t even allow a remake movie to be made, andZemeckis has essentially said that such a project will only happen over his dead body.
It would certainly be interesting to see a new time travel adventure in which a modern teen travels back to 1995, only to later jump ahead to 2055—a whole 100 years after the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance.
Thetime-travel mechanic ofBack to the Futuremakes the idea of a remake especially intriguing to a studio like Universal. The “future” that Marty traveled to inBack to the Future Part IIwas in 2015, which we have now passed by a decade. Marty’s present is 1985, now further from 2025 than 1955. It would certainly be interesting to see a new time travel adventure in which a modern teen travels back to 1995, only to later jump ahead to 2055—a whole 100 years after the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. However, this doesn’t look likely.
Will Another Back To The Future Movie Ever Happen?
Zemeckis Has Outlined One Scenario In Which A New Movie Could Happen
Zemeckis seems serious that aBack to the Futureremakewould only happen over his dead body. The movie maker has said that he expects Universal to move ahead with this or aBack to the Future 4once he and Gale are both “dead,” but even then, it might not happen. The rights toBack to the Futurewill move on to Zemeckis and Gale’s estates once they pass away. This is when things get a little more mirky in the way of intellectual property. Universal may stand a better chance of moving forward with a newBack to the Futuremovie at this point, but the legal rights eill still make this complicated.
Find Zemeckis’s quote about the potential of a newBack to the Futuremovie below:
That can’t happen until both Bob and I are dead. And then I’m sure they’ll do it, unless there’s a way our estates can stop it.
One way or another, it’s clear that Zemeckis and Gale do not want there ever to be moreBack to the Futuremovies. The former’s comment about his estate potentially stopping this from happening implies thathe trusts those in charge of his intellectual property following his death will understand his wishes and fight against future films. So, while it is technically possible that aBack to the Future4or remake will happen several decades from now, this might not be for the best. After all, why should a franchise continue when its creator is vehement that their art remains as it is?
Why Back To The Future Doesn’t Need Another Sequel Or A Remake
Back To The Future Shouldn’t Be Messed With
There’s a strong chance that a newBack to the Futuremovie would succeed. The franchise has a cult following, and the additional decades that have passed since the original 1985 movie released make the time-travel mechanic all the more intriguing. This is precisely why Universal is so eager to continue—there’s little doubt thata new project has the potential to bring in some big bucks. Still, there are far more—and far less money-hungry—reasons thatBack to the Future 4or any otherBack to the Futureremakes shouldn’t happen now or in the future.
…the failure of these movies and TV shows ultimately reflected poorly on the overarching franchise.
The past decade or so has been the age of reboots and sequels, and, in some cases, these have been a massive success. There has also been a significant share of duds, and the failure of these movies and TV shows ultimately reflected poorly on the overarching franchise. ThefirstBack to the Futuremoviewas a booming success, but its sequels appealed a little less to audiences with each installment. Still, the franchise survived, andthese movies have aged beautifully. Zemeckis and Gale seem to understand that this is something that just shouldn’t be messed with. So, despite the appeal,Back to the Futuremust stay ended.
Back to the Future
Cast
Back to the Future follows teenager Marty McFly as he is inadvertently sent back to 1955, where he disrupts his parents' meeting. With the assistance of eccentric inventor Doc Brown, Marty must restore the timeline by ensuring his parents fall in love and find a way back to 1985.
