Christopher Lloyd says Michael J. Fox’s Back to the Future casting left him with one big fear
Fox replaced Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly weeks into production of the 1985 film
- •Christopher Lloyd initially felt threatened by Michael J. Fox's casting in Back to the Future due to the prospect of reshooting scenes.
- •However, Lloyd eventually recognized Fox's perfect fit for the role of Marty McFly, leading to a successful collaboration.
- •The two actors developed a strong on-screen relationship, with Fox praising Lloyd's warmth and welcoming nature during the production.
Christopher Lloyd has revealed how taken aback he was by the news that Michael J. Fox was joining Back to the Future.
The actor, 88, played Emmett 'Doc' Brown across the Back to the Future trilogy, which ran from 1985 to 1990. He recalled his shock at learning that Fox would be replacing Eric Stoltz in the central role of Marty.
Speaking to Fox for Interview magazine, Lloyd shared: "I remember the night before the morning of your first day. We'd been working all night for a few days in the shopping mall, so lunch would be at like one o'clock in the morning. We broke for lunch, and we were in the parking lot of the mall, and somebody stood up to say somebody was going to make an announcement after lunch.
"We had our lunch and then we all gathered around one of the trailers. [Steven] Spielberg, I think, got up and told us that tomorrow morning, Michael J. Fox is going to be taking over the role of Marty from … What's his name? Eric Stoltz."
Lloyd admitted to being shocked by the news, and frustrated by the prospect of having to reshoot scenes
On reflection, though, Lloyd recognised that Fox was perfect for the role of Marty McFly.
Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future (© 1985 Universal City Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
He added: "That was pretty stunning news. Because for me, totally selfishly, I felt I'd given 99 per cent every moment they shot for six weeks. I had to put a lot of energy into it, and I was still getting into the groove.
"My first thought was, 'Oh my god, I'm going to have to do all that again. How am I going to do it?' But it all worked out. When you came along, it was a whole different game. Your spontaneity, humour, smartness, and intelligence—it was great."
Fox, who is now 65, praised Lloyd for the warmth he showed the younger actor when he arrived on the production.
The star said: "I thought, of all the people here, the only person I really need to lock in with is Doc.
"If the Doc-Marty relationship is happening, I'm safe and good to go. And you were so open to me under hard circumstances. You had to redo your work and find a whole new way to approach the character, but you were so welcoming to me.
"I don't know if you ever give yourself credit for what an amazing actor you are. You manage to completely immerse yourself in a role, but never to the detriment of the relationship with the other actors. You don't think your process is more important than anyone else's process. You do your process, you let us do ours, and then magic happens."
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