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History of Back to the Future Timeline
(1981 - Present)Back to the Future is a landmark American science fiction film franchise created by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. The original 1985 film, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, became a massive box office success and cultural phenomenon, spawning two sequels, an animated television series, a theme park ride, and a Broadway musical, cementing its place as one of the most beloved franchises in cinema history. More Less
Development
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale conceive Back to the Future idea
1980
Writer-producer Bob Gale visited his parents and wondered if he would have been friends with his father in high school, inspiring the story. He developed the concept with Robert Zemeckis, drafting an early screenplay about a time-traveling teenager meeting his parents as youths.
Image source: Back to the Future
Columbia Pictures rejects the Back to the Future screenplay
1981
Zemeckis and Gale wrote the screenplay between other projects, but Columbia Pictures passed on it, calling it too sweet. Around 40 studios reportedly rejected the script over the following years.
Steven Spielberg signs on as executive producer
Sep 1983
After Zemeckis's film Romancing the Stone became a hit in early 1984, Spielberg, who had long championed the project through Amblin Entertainment, secured studio backing, allowing Universal Pictures to greenlight Back to the Future.
Production
Eric Stoltz originally cast as Marty McFly
1984
Michael J. Fox was unavailable due to his commitment to the sitcom Family Ties, so Eric Stoltz was cast as Marty McFly and began filming before the decision was made to replace him.
Image source: Eric Stoltz
DeLorean time machine designed for the film
1984
The DeLorean DMC-12 was chosen as Doc Brown's time machine because its gull-wing doors and stainless steel body gave it a striking, futuristic appearance ideal for the film's iconic vehicle.
Image source: DeLorean time machine
Filming begins on Back to the Future
Nov 26, 1984
Principal photography began at Universal Studios in California under director Robert Zemeckis, with cinematographer Dean Cundey and composer Alan Silvestri joining the production.
Alan Silvestri completes the film score
1985
Composer Alan Silvestri created the sweeping orchestral score, including the iconic main theme that became one of the most recognizable pieces of film music of the era.
Image source: Music of the Back to the Future franchise
Eric Stoltz replaced by Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly
Jan 1985
After roughly five weeks of filming, Zemeckis and Spielberg concluded that Stoltz's portrayal lacked the comedic tone needed, and Fox agreed to take the role while continuing to star in Family Ties.
Filming of Back to the Future wraps
Apr 1985
Principal photography concluded after reshoots with Michael J. Fox, including the climactic clock tower sequence filmed on the Universal backlot.
Release and Reception
Huey Lewis records 'The Power of Love' for the soundtrack
1985
Huey Lewis and the News recorded 'The Power of Love' and 'Back in Time' for the film's soundtrack; 'The Power of Love' became a number-one Billboard hit and earned an Academy Award nomination.
Image source: The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)
Key Facts
- The screenplay was written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis and was famously rejected over 40 times by studios before Universal Pictures greenlit the project.
- Michael J. Fox replaced Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly after five weeks of filming when the producers decided Stoltz's portrayal was too serious.
- The original film was released on July 3, 1985, and became the highest-grossing film of that year, earning over $380 million worldwide.
- The trilogy continued with Back to the Future Part II and Part III, released just six months apart in November 1989 and May 1990 respectively.
- The franchise expanded into a hit Broadway musical in 2020 (London) and 2022 (New York), demonstrating its enduring popularity decades after the films' releases.
Source
This History of Back to the Future timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
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