Eric Stoltz filmed five weeks as Marty before Michael J. Fox replaced him
In the discussion (8)
- Michael J. Fox was initially unavailable because Family Ties needed him while Meredith Baxter Birney was absent
- Eric Stoltz filmed for five weeks but was judged too dramatic, insufficiently comic, and unconvincing on a skateboard
- The studio approved spending another $3 million to replace Stoltz and reshoot with Fox
- Stoltz continued filming temporarily after the replacement decision while the production secured Fox
- Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson are quoted describing Stoltz as talented but too intense for the needed comedy
- Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, John Cusack, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell were also considered or auditioned
- John Cusack is judged a plausible alternate because he could balance comedy, drama, awkwardness, and charm
- Fox’s athletic physical comedy is credited as essential to the final performance
The final return to 1985 and Biff skateboard chase lead many strong sequences
In the discussion (9)
- The clock-filled opening credits and Doc’s laboratory are nominated
- Einstein’s one-minute time-travel experiment is nominated
- Marty meeting George and Lorraine in the diner and bedroom is nominated
- Marty convincing the 1955 Doc and the Ronald Reagan exchange are nominated
- Marty punching Biff, escaping on the improvised skateboard, and the manure crash are nominated
- The Johnny B. Goode performance is nominated and reported as a preview audience favorite that Zemeckis had considered cutting
- The clock-tower return to 1985 is selected for its escalating action beats
- The flying DeLorean sequel tease and transformed McFly family are praised as part of the closing stretch
- The Biff skateboard chase is separately selected and linked to a childhood skateboard purchase
Huey Lewis, character payoffs, Claudia Wells, backlots, Christopher Lloyd, and Alan Silvestri
In the discussion (9)
- The Goldie Wilson setup and later mayor payoff are praised
- The Power of Love and Back in Time are praised, including Huey Lewis judging Marty’s performance of his own song
- Marty’s horror at Lorraine flirting with him is praised
- The 1950s ice-cream shop and George punching Biff are praised
- Claudia Wells is praised as a supportive Jennifer Parker
- Studio backlots are praised for creating a reusable, convincing town square
- Christopher Lloyd is jokingly praised for appearing not to age
- Alan Silvestri’s score is praised as iconic and durable
- Huey Lewis is selected as the leading Aged Best choice
Franchise replacement, makeup, Libyan terrorists, sexual misconduct, PG content, guitar mime, and rock-history premise
In the discussion (8)
- Claudia Wells leaving the sequels because her mother had cancer is treated as a sad lost opportunity
- Lorraine’s heavier-body makeup is criticized as unconvincing
- The unexplained Libyan-terrorist plot is criticized, with Zemeckis reportedly apologizing for its insensitivity
- George spying on Lorraine and Biff’s attempted assault are criticized
- The violence and repeated profanity are considered surprising for a PG film
- Michael J. Fox’s guitar mime is criticized as unrealistic
- Marty being framed as inventing rock and roll is criticized
- The high-school dance band is added belatedly to Aged Best
John Lithgow and other alternate casting history
In the discussion (4)
- John Lithgow is reported as the first choice for Doc Brown and is judged plausible
- J.J. Cohen was reportedly moved from Biff to a cohort because he was not imposing enough opposite Stoltz
- Melora Hardin was reportedly released as Jennifer after Fox replaced Stoltz because of their height difference
- An Al Pacino Doc Brown is performed as a comic hypothetical rather than reported casting
Malachi actor Courtney Gains
In the discussion (2)
- the bald Top Gun actor, George Descendant, the Malachi actor, Billy Zane, and Mark McClure are candidates
- The actor recognized as Malachi, receives the vote
No clear winner; George’s father and Principal Strickland are considered
In the discussion (2)
- Biff is ruled ineligible for appearing too much
- George’s father and Principal Strickland are tentative candidates, but no winner is found
Anthony Michael Hall for George and William Zabka for Biff lead several ideas
In the discussion (4)
Alternate nuclear climax, Stoltz footage, Fox schedule, VHS ending, and Oscar result
In the discussion (6)
- The original climax reportedly involved driving through a Nevada nuclear test before cost prompted the clock tower
- Lea Thompson was reportedly dating Dennis Quaid during filming
- A shot of Eric Stoltz’s hand reportedly remains in Biff’s punch scene
- Michael J. Fox reportedly worked Family Ties by day and the film overnight
- The To Be Continued card was reportedly added to VHS but absent from theatrical and DVD versions
- Power of Love was Oscar-nominated but lost to Say You, Say Me
Fox, Lewis, Lloyd, Wells, Glover, Wilson, Pepsi Free, Zemeckis, and time travel
In the discussion (6)
- Michael J. Fox is judged at his apex through the combination of Family Ties and the film
- Huey Lewis, Christopher Lloyd, Claudia Wells, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson are assigned apexes
- Libyan terrorists are rejected in favor of Gaddafi as their apex
- Pepsi Free is assigned an apex while the larger Pepsi brand is debated
- Robert Zemeckis is assigned an apex because Romancing the Stone and this film enabled later ambitious projects
- Time travel is assigned an apex over Lost for popularizing difficult concepts
Band audition, adult sibling at home, Jeep reaction, George’s income, and transformed Lorraine
In the discussion (7)
- The Pinheads are questioned for being dismissed after only five seconds
- Marty is criticized for treating the group like a backing band without practicing or rehearsing
- Performing The Heart of Rock and Roll is proposed as a stronger audition choice
- Adult Dave McFly still living at home after the timeline improves is questioned
- Marty’s reaction to receiving an expensive Jeep is judged too restrained
- George’s job and ability to afford the Jeep are unclear
- Lea Thompson should have been shown in a Jane Fonda aerobics outfit to emphasize how much better the new timeline is
Great Scott and the roads line
In the discussion (2)
- Great Scott is identified as the signature phrase that entered common usage
- The line that they do not need roads is the other leading quote
Hearing damage, concussions, dog care, Doc-Marty friendship, Doc’s private life, duplicate selves, and parental recognition
In the discussion (7)
- Marty’s likely tinnitus from the opening amplifier blast is questioned
- Marty’s repeated concussions across the trilogy are questioned
- Doc is judged a bad dog owner for automated feeding and using Einstein in the time machine
- The origin and propriety of teenage Marty’s friendship with adult Doc are questioned
- Whether Doc Brown is a lifelong bachelor, asexual, or gay is speculated about
- Whether two versions of one person can occupy the same place and time is questioned
- The failure of Marty’s parents to recognize their son as Calvin is debated, with Bob Gale reportedly arguing they knew Calvin only briefly thirty years earlier
Casting What-Ifs
