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Michael J. Fox Memoir Clarifies ‘Back to the Future’ Recast as 40th Anniversary Return Nears

Fresh details explain how producers kept cameras rolling with Eric Stoltz to avert a shutdown, then shifted Fox into the role.

Overview

  • Fox recounts that he replaced Eric Stoltz about six weeks into shooting after filmmakers decided Stoltz’s performance did not match the intended tone.
  • The production tried to keep the swap under wraps until Fox arrived, but a trade report later described the film as a “troubled” production.
  • According to Fox, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale continued filming with Stoltz until his deal was finalized because Steven Spielberg and Universal feared a halt could imperil the movie.
  • Fox says he was rushed onto the set while still working on Family Ties, joining co-stars who had already filmed weeks with another lead.
  • Fox writes that he and Stoltz remain on good terms, as the film’s 40th anniversary brings a theatrical re-release on Oct. 31 and a new 4K trilogy set.