Most Rewatchable Scene · 38:25
The final return to 1985 and Biff skateboard chase
The clock-filled opening credits and Doc’s laboratory are nominated
Bill Simmons: Einstein’s one-minute time-travel experiment is nominated
‹ All movies
25:52
1:00:57
1:08:47
1:10:42
1:15:50
1:18:55
The Rewatchables ·
Back to the Future
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Who won the movie
Michael J. Fox
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“That Guy” Award
Malachi actor Courtney Gains
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Overacting Award
Crispin Glover
The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie · 1:18:27
Great Scott and the roads line
Bill Simmons: Great Scott is identified as the signature phrase that entered common usage
Cast
Selected cast credits · Film reference
Michael J. Fox
Marty McFly
Christopher Lloyd
Emmett "Doc" Brown
Lea Thompson
Lorraine Baines McFly
Crispin Glover
George McFly
Thomas F. Wilson
Biff Tannen
Claudia Wells
Jennifer Parker
Marc McClure
Dave McFly
Wendie Jo Sperber
Linda McFly
Elsa Raven
Clocktower Lady
Huey Lewis
Battle of the Bands judge
Richard L. Duran
Libyan terrorist
Jeff O’Haco
Libyan terrorist
George DiCenzo
Sam Baines
Frances Lee McCain
Stella Baines
Jason Hervey
Milton Baines
Jeffrey Jay Cohen
Skinhead
Casey Siemaszko
3-D
Billy Zane
Match
Norman Alden
Lou
Donald Fullilove
Goldie Wilson
Harry Waters Jr.
Marvin Berry
Will Hare
Pa Peabody
Courtney Gains
Dixon
James Tolkan
Principal Strickland
Everything from the episode
In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.
25:52
Casting What-Ifs
Eric Stoltz filmed five weeks as Marty before Michael J. Fox replaced him
Eric Stoltz filmed five weeks as Marty before Michael J. Fox replaced him
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:52Read transcript
- Michael J. Fox was initially unavailable because Family Ties needed him while Meredith Baxter Birney was absent — Bill Simmons
- Eric Stoltz filmed for five weeks but was judged too dramatic, insufficiently comic, and unconvincing on a skateboard — Bill Simmons
- The studio approved spending another $3 million to replace Stoltz and reshoot with Fox — Bill Simmons
- Stoltz continued filming temporarily after the replacement decision while the production secured Fox — Bill Simmons
- Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson are quoted describing Stoltz as talented but too intense for the needed comedy — Bill Simmons
- Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, John Cusack, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell were also considered or auditioned — Bill Simmons
- John Cusack is judged a plausible alternate because he could balance comedy, drama, awkwardness, and charm — Sean Fennessey
- Fox’s athletic physical comedy is credited as essential to the final performance — Bill Simmons
1:00:57
Casting What-Ifs
John Lithgow and other alternate casting history
John Lithgow and other alternate casting history
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:57Read transcript
- John Lithgow is reported as the first choice for Doc Brown and is judged plausible — Bill Simmons
- J.J. Cohen was reportedly moved from Biff to a cohort because he was not imposing enough opposite Stoltz — Bill Simmons
- Melora Hardin was reportedly released as Jennifer after Fox replaced Stoltz because of their height difference — Bill Simmons
- An Al Pacino Doc Brown is performed as a comic hypothetical rather than reported casting — Bill Simmons
1:08:47
Recasting Couch
Anthony Michael Hall for George and William Zabka for Biff
Anthony Michael Hall for George and William Zabka for Biff
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:47Read transcript
- Anthony Michael Hall is proposed for George
- Tom Hanks and Robin Williams are considered for George but age is a concern — Bill Simmons
- Meg Ryan is proposed for Lorraine
- William Zabka is proposed for Biff and receives the strongest enthusiasm — Bill Simmons
1:10:42
Half-Assed Internet Research
Alternate nuclear climax, Stoltz footage, Fox schedule, VHS ending, and Oscar result
Alternate nuclear climax, Stoltz footage, Fox schedule, VHS ending, and Oscar result
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:42Read transcript
- The original climax reportedly involved driving through a Nevada nuclear test before cost prompted the clock tower — Bill Simmons
- Lea Thompson was reportedly dating Dennis Quaid during filming — Bill Simmons
- A shot of Eric Stoltz’s hand reportedly remains in Biff’s punch scene — Bill Simmons
- Michael J. Fox reportedly worked Family Ties by day and the film overnight — Bill Simmons
- The To Be Continued card was reportedly added to VHS but absent from theatrical and DVD versions — Bill Simmons
- Power of Love was Oscar-nominated but lost to Say You, Say Me — Bill Simmons
1:15:50
Picking Nits
Band audition, adult sibling at home, Jeep reaction, George’s income, and transformed Lorraine
Band audition, adult sibling at home, Jeep reaction, George’s income, and transformed Lorraine
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:50Read transcript
- 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 — Chris Ryan
- 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 — Bill Simmons
- Marty’s reaction to receiving an expensive Jeep is judged too restrained — Bill Simmons
- George’s job and ability to afford the Jeep are unclear — Bill Simmons
- Lea Thompson should have been shown in a Jane Fonda aerobics outfit to emphasize how much better the new timeline is — Bill Simmons
1:18:55
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Hearing damage, concussions, dog care, Doc-Marty friendship, Doc’s private life, duplicate selves, and parental recog...
Hearing damage, concussions, dog care, Doc-Marty friendship, Doc’s private life, duplicate selves, and parental recognition
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:55Read transcript
- Marty’s likely tinnitus from the opening amplifier blast is questioned — Bill Simmons
- Marty’s repeated concussions across the trilogy are questioned — Bill Simmons
- Doc is judged a bad dog owner for automated feeding and using Einstein in the time machine — Bill Simmons
- 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 — Bill Simmons
- 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 — Chris Ryan
Mentions across The Rewatchables
Double Feature
Forrest Gump
The Rewatchables · aired February 13, 2024
Back to the Future, Cast Away, and The Waterboy
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:00Read transcript
Source 1