Christopher Lloyd Would Return To Back To The Future Under One Condition
When movies as successful as the "Back to the Future" trilogy come along, fans naturally want more. And while it's been more than 30 years since the release of the 1990 smash "Back to the Future Part III"— which followed the original film in 1985 and "Part II" in 1989 — beloved actor Christopher Lloyd seems game to reprise his iconic role of eccentric inventor Doc Brown opposite Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox).
"I would love to do Doc again, no question," Lloyd told The Hollywood Reporter in 2015 during an interview to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first film.
But wanting to do another movie is easier than actually producing one. On top of the tremendous amount of time and resources that go into any big budget Hollywood production, the success of the project hinges on the material that justified it in the first place. But there's a another major factor in play that dictates whether Lloyd would reprise his role of for another "Back to the Future."
It's not Back to the Future without Michael J. Fox
"Back to the Future" tackles many themes, not the least of which is the relationship between Marty and Doc Brown. It's a friendship that is stronger than ever in real life, and without Fox's participation, Lloyd told The Hollywood Reporter that he would put the kibosh on returning for a fourth "Back to the Future" film. In addition, Lloyd said he would love to see all the creatives behind the trilogy back for another "Future" trip.
"I think regardless of the Parkinson's, he'd probably jump on the role, and he'd be great," Lloyd said, referring to Fox's Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 1991. "I can't see doing another sequel without him. I would certainly want Bob Zemeckis directing it, Bob Gale writing it and the other principals being involved." Also needed for another film would be the film's iconic DeLorean, which Lloyd said "was such a perfect choice for the film. It looked so speedy and futuristic."
One thing Lloyd doesn't want to see happen is a reboot of the franchise: "It's hard to replace Marty," he declared. "Michael J. Fox was so wonderful in the role."
Even if the stars were to align for another "Back to the Future" film, other variables would have to fall into place too.
Back to the Future Part IV would need an idea to rival the original trilogy
The first "Back to the Future" film found Marty accidentally traveling back in time to 1955 via a souped-up DeLorean car created by Doc Brown. It's there that Marty encounters the high school versions of his parents (Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover) and struggles to keep the natural order of the past — and ultimately, the future — on track.
In Part II, Marty and Doc travel from 1985 to 2015 where they encounter Marty's son. "Part III" sees Marty travel back in time once again, this time to 1885 where Doc Brown is trapped in the Wild West and his life is in peril. With storylines as original as those in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, Lloyd told The Hollywood Reporter that the narrative of a fourth "Future" film would have to rival the first three.
"It's tough to come up with an idea that contains the excitement of the original three," Lloyd said. "So it would be a real challenge for the writers to come up with an original 'Back to the Future' story that has the same passion and intensity and excitement as the other three. But it could be done, you never know."
Fans can still get a new Back to the Future fix with Lloyd's reality series
In the spring of 2021, Lloyd took a trip down memory lane with host Josh Gates in the Discovery+ series "Expedition: Back to the Future." In four episodes that play out like another "Back to the Future" story, Gates and Lloyd hit the road to locate the A-car, which is the DeLorean that was backed out of Doc Brown's moving truck at the mall in the first film. After they locate the car, the goal is donate it to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
In an exclusive interview with Looper, Lloyd said he's basically reprising his role as Doc Brown in the series, because in real life he and the character are essentially one in the same. "They called me up, and we talked, and I was excited about it but a little bit uncertain. I mean, I actually am Doc Brown at the beginning and for the remainder of show, I'm myself," Lloyd revealed. "So, I wasn't doing a character, I was being myself. Usually when I do [a role], it involves taking on another life. The one I'm taking on in this instance is my own, and so it had some intricate areas, in my head anyway, to explore."