It feels like every few years, rumblings about a potential “Back to the Future” reboot/remake start to surface. Granted, none of this talk ever stems from studios or filmmakers. Instead, fans have such a love for the characters of Doc Brown and Marty McFly that they just want to watch the further adventures of the time-travelers. And according to a new survey, “Back to the Future” ranks as the most highly-favorable sequel/reboot among any other franchises.
THR teamed with survey company Morning Consult to ask people which franchise they would most like to see return in one form or another, either with reboot or sequel. Topping the list, with a whopping 71% favorability ranking is Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s “Back to the Future” franchise. The film series, which stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, has been dormant since the trilogy ended back in 1990 with “Back to the Future III.”
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“Back to the Future” beat out some of the biggest franchises of all time in the new survey. “Toy Story” came in second with 69% favorability (the fourth film is scheduled to hit theaters in June 2019), followed by “Indiana Jones” (new film in 2021) and “Jurassic Park” (third “Jurassic World” film coming soon) with 68% and 67%, respectively.
Now, even though those surveyed would be incredibly happy with a new “Back to the Future” film, it appears that film fans on social media would rather this not happen. One such person is actor Devon Sawa (remember him?), who tweeted, “Don’t remake back to the future you fucking vultures.”
Others followed suit. “Westworld” star Evan Rachel Wood didn’t have many words, but tweeted, “No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Nooooooo. NO. NO. NO. FUCK. NO. NO. AHHHHHH. NOOOOOOOO. PLEASE! No. No. No. No. No. No. I quit. No. No. No. *rips face off* No. No. No. No. No. No. No. I can keep going. No. No. No. We will march. No. No. AHHHHHH. No faith left in humanity. No. No”
Others like comedian JJ Whitehead kept it short and sweet, “No. Don’t you dare. Time travel isn’t off limits but BTTF is.”
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However, filmmaker Lexi Alexander actually has a pitch for a “Back to the Future” remake, tweeting, “Back to the Future remake…hear me out: The Libyans get there before Doc Brown can run. Turns out Doc was lying. They never wanted to build a bomb. The time machine was their invention. They built it to go back to 1984 and save Gaddafi’s son from getting killed by American bombs.”
One of those people who’s perfectly content with never touching the trilogy again is co-writer and director Robert Zemeckis. The legendary filmmaker has spoken about a potential sequel or remake for years, saying it’s never going to happen. According to the filmmaker, there’s a good reason that in the era of revivals, remakes, and reboots, “Back to the Future” has stayed out of talks — the studios can’t do it without Zemeckis and Gale’s permission.
“Oh, God no,” he said back in 2015. “That can’t happen until both [co-writer] Bob [Gale] and I are dead. And then I’m sure they’ll do it, unless there’s a way our estates can stop it.”
And at the ages of 66 and 67, respectively, Zemeckis and Gale probably won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Also, one would hope that studios would respect the filmmakers’ wishes long after they’re gone. But then again, this is Hollywood, and money rules.
So, if not a sequel, what about a reboot? Again, Zemeckis absolutely thinks that’s crazy. “I mean, to me, that’s outrageous. Especially since it’s a good movie. It’s like saying ‘Let’s remake “Citizen Kane.”’ ‘Who are we going to get to play Kane?’ What folly, what insanity is that? Why would anyone do that?” Zemeckis exclaimed.
Long story long, even though some fans would be very happy to see another “Back to the Future” film, it’s not happening. That is as long as Zemeckis and Gale have anything to say about it. And if you’re that desperate for more “Back to the Future,” start watching “Rick and Morty.” You’ll be happy you did.
https://twitter.com/DevonESawa/status/1065640508599427072
https://twitter.com/boobks/status/1065763640366776324
https://twitter.com/JJWhitesnake/status/1065997606025916418
https://twitter.com/Lexialex/status/1065734563014438914
