Robert Zemeckis Addresses the Future of ‘Back to the Future’ Franchise

For decades, fans of Back to the Future have speculated about a fourth movie in the iconic franchise, and while Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd have expressed openness to the idea, director Robert Zemeckis recently made his stance clear once again. In a conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Zemeckis addressed the recurring rumors, stating there are no plans for a Back to the Future Part 4.

Rumors of a new installment have surfaced repeatedly since the trilogy wrapped up in 1990 with Back to the Future Part III. Director and writer Robert Zemeckis and co-writer and producer Bob Gale have consistently opposed the idea of expanding or rebooting the series. Despite their firm stance, the possibility of another film has lingered, with fans even suggesting Spider-Man: No Way Home star Tom Holland as a potential successor to Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly. Holland’s name frequently pops up in fan discussions, even though both Zemeckis and Gale have rejected the idea.

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While Zemeckis and Gale are firm in their opposition, Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly) and Christopher Lloyd (Doc Emmett Brown) feel differently. In an interview last year, Fox told Variety, “Do what you want, it’s your movie—I got paid already.” Lloyd, however, is more interested in reprising his role as Doc Brown, stating back in 2015 to The Hollywood Reporter that he “would love to do Doc again, no question.” Both actors, however, have suggested that if the series were to return, a female-led reboot could be an interesting direction.

While the idea of a fourth film is off the table, the Back to the Future franchise has continued to thrive through other mediums. Fans have enjoyed a variety of adaptations, from Back to the Future: The Animated Series (1991) and “Back to the Future: The Video Game” (2010) to Back to the Future: The Musical, which has gained a loyal following on the West End in London, on Broadway, and across North America. Additionally, IDW Publishing produced a popular long-running comic book series that expanded on the world of Marty and Doc.

Despite the rumors, Zemeckis reiterated that a fourth film simply isn’t going to happen. In his discussion with Horowitz, he said, “We always felt that this was enough and that it had to just live with it being the three movies.” Zemeckis also clarified that Back to the Future: The Musical is not meant to be a remake, but rather “a celebration of the [original] movie.”

Horowitz asked if Universal Pictures still inquires about a possible sequel, to which Zemeckis responded that while the studio occasionally approaches him about it, his answer remains the same: Back to the Future Part 4 “just isn’t in the cards.”

Watch the video below:

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For fans hoping to see Marty and Doc on the big screen once more, Zemeckis’s words may be disappointing. Yet, with the musical, comics, and video games, the Back to the Future legacy remains as vibrant as ever.

Would you like to see another Back to the Future movie? Let us know in the comments!