If you love time travel, look no further than Back to the Future. It’s a science fiction classic recognized far and wide by many movie enthusiasts. It also sparked the creation of one of cinema’s most beloved and successful trilogies. Fans have wanted a fourth film for the longest time, yet it never came. Instead, the Back to the Future musical adaptation came into existence. People often ask Bob Gale for another movie, but what do you think he says?
Gotta Get Back in Time
Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox as typical 80s youth Marty McFly. Marty lives with his unsuccessful older siblings and his parents, George and Lorraine. His girlfriend, Jennifer, is often the person he confides in about his worries. One night, he meets his scientist friend, Dr. Emmett ‘Doc’ Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. Dr. Brown reveals he’s made a time machine from a DeLorean sports car. Their scientific amazement is interrupted when they’re attacked by Libyan terrorists from whom Doc stole plutonium.
Dr. Brown is gunned down while Marty escapes in the DeLorean and travels to 1955. He eventually meets his teenage parents but accidentally prevents them from meeting each other. Marty soon discovers that this change in the timeline will result in him disappearing forever. To fix this, Marty agrees to help George win over Lorraine and restore his life. One major problem is that Lorraine is smitten with her future son. Another involves Biff Tannen, the class bully, Lorraine’s harassing admirer, and George’s eventual boss.
Back to the Future became a success and heightened the careers of Fox and Lloyd. It even sparked the creation of two sequels, establishing a trilogy. Back to the Future 2 showcases Bill Tannen altering his past to become rich. Following that came Back to the Future 3, where Marty and Doc explore 1885. Like the first film, these two performed well at the box office. Much of the series’ success lies with their co-writer Bob Gale.
Gale’s Work With the Franchise
Gale’s journey with Back to the Future began in 1980 after working on Used Cars. He and Zemeckis wanted to create a movie about time travel next. It took four years of rejections, but the ‘two Bobs’ finally managed to produce it. Back to the Future grossed over $200 million in America thanks to their work. Gale continued working by constructing the scripts for the proceeding sequels. From then on, he’s had a hand in the overall franchise.
Gale was an associate producer for the animated television spin-off that followed the movies. He also worked as a consultant for the 2011 video game adaptation by Telltale Games. Gale later wrote the 2015 Back to the Future comic books published by IDW. His most recent contribution was producing Back to the Future: The Musical. He even worked on the play’s corresponding book, which offered a behind-the-scenes peek.
A Back to the Future Musical
Back to the Future: The Musical recounts the events of the first flick. This adaptation features performances by Don Stephenson and Caden Brauch as the primary duo. It mixes songs from the movie with new music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. The musical premiered in February 2020 at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester, England. It was well-received by critics and won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Despite the musical’s success, it only fueled fan’s thirst for a fourth film. Gale was asked backstage at the Saturn Awards about the prospects of such a movie. He replied with a simple comeback: “F*** you, you quote me on that!” Gale continued by saying he and the stars made three magnificent masterpieces. And making a fourth wouldn’t feel right, like a cheap cash grab. He finished by insisting the franchise doesn’t need an addition or a reboot.
Final Thoughts
I think it’s excellent the Back to the Future franchise isn’t getting a fourth movie. The story concluded after the third flick, so there’s no reason to continue. It would also be a crime to reboot an already perfect cinematic series. If one of its creators says it’s a bad idea, we best listen. Back to the Future: The Musical sounds interesting and fun. It’s touring across America, so any devoted fans should check it out.
