‘Back to the Future' screenwriter goes off over incessant spinoff rumors — reveals only way it would happen
You'll have to time travel in the DeLorean to relive 'Back to the Future.'
According to franchise screenwriter Bob Gale, there won't be any more films following up the 1985 classic, the 1989 sequel 'Back to the Future Part II' and 1990's 'Back to the Future Part III.'
After the 'Cobra Kai' finale featured an Easter egg that alluded to a television adaptation of the franchise, Gale, 73, who co-wrote and produced all three projects alongside co-creator Robert Zemeckis, shut down all speculation.
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9 Bob Gale attends Universal Fan Fest Nights Opening Night Event.
Getty Images for Universal Studios Hollywood
'I don't know why they keep talking about that!' the writer exclaimed while at Universal Fan Fest Nights on Friday, per People. 'I mean, do they think that if they say it enough times, we're going to actually do it?'
'I mean, it's like they know in every interview people say, 'Oh Bob, when is there going to be a 'Back to the Future 4″?' Gale continued. 'Never. 'When is there going to be a prequel?' Never. 'When is there going to be a spinoff?' Never. It's just fine the way it is. It's not perfect, but as Bob Zemeckis used to say, 'It's perfect enough.''
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If another project in the franchise were to occur, it would take a lot of convincing for the film producer.
9 Bob Gale, Dean Cundey and Charles Croughwell attend the screening for 'Back to the Future' during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival.
Getty Images for TCM
9 Bob Gale speaks onstage at the screening for 'Back to the Future' during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival.
Getty Images for TCM
'If the juggernaut of corporate America or corporate international mishigas says, 'If you don't agree to this, we're going to kill your children,' alright, well, no, we don't want our children killed,'' teased Gale. 'But Steven Spielberg, of course, he's got to sign off on it, too. And Steven, just like Steven won't allow another 'E.T.,' he totally respects the fact that we don't want any more 'Back to the Future.' He gets it and always stood behind that. And thank you, Steven.'
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What the 'Back to the Future' cast — including Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover — have created is more than enough for Gale.
'What's so great is seeing the next generation of kids that are being touched by this and [say], 'Gee, my parents were once kids,'' he gushed. 'That's why I think it keeps on going, because every kid comes to that realization at some point, and we made a movie about that. So I love the fact that people are newly discovering it.'
9 Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in 'Back to the Future.'
Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
Although there are zero plans for a prequel, sequel or television show, the sci-fi adventure made its mark on Broadway with 'Back to the Future: the Musical.'
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The show opened on Broadway in August 2023 after it debuted in London's West End. The play went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for best new musical in 2022.
The musical finished its Broadway run in January 2025 with 500 performances and $80 million worth of ticket sales, per producers. But the show is far from over.
9 Claudia Wells and Michael J. Fox in the sci-fi film.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
In the last episode of 'Cobra Kai,' two men — the show's co-creators, Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz — discussed the possibility of doing a 'Back to the Future' series at a bar.
'So the show would be set in Hill Valley, alternate 1985,' Hurwitz explained. 'All we need are Wilson, Thompson and Zane, and we've got the green light.'
9 Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox in 'Back to the Future.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
'Billy's a friend,' Heald responded. 'Guy did an art piece for my foyer. It's an easy call to make. I feel like why not get Crispin, too? Maybe Mike to direct? We can blow this thing up.'
The exchange wasn't meant to be a reveal of anything in the works.
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'That's just us having fun,' Hurwitz told People at SCAD TVfest in February. 'We know that the 'Back to the Future' franchise is something that's very closely guarded — and for good reason. If they ever decided they wanted to have a sequel series, then we'd be all-in.'
Meanwhile, this isn't the first time Gale has made it clear that he isn't looking to revive the time travel franchise with a fourth film.
9 Michael J. Fox in 'Back to the Future.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
The comic book writer jokingly told Yahoo Entertainment in February, 'People always say, 'When are you going to do 'Back to the Future 4?' And we say, 'F – – k you.''
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These days, Gale is helping Fox, 63, write a book about his experience as the titular character, time traveler Marty McFly, in the movie.
9 Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox in 'Back to the Future.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
The book is set to be titled 'Future Boy,' but no other details have been disclosed.
In 2023, Fox told Variety that there's no need for a 'Back to the Future' reboot, but teased: 'Do what you want. It's your movie. I got paid already.'
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'I don't think it needs to be,' the actor admitted. 'I think [Zemeckis has] been really smart about that. I don't think it needs rebooting because are you going to clarify something? You're going to find a better way to tell the story? I doubt it.'
9 'Back to the Future.'
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Zemeckis, 72, also chimed in on if Universal Pictures ever asks him to make 'Back to the Future 4.'
In October, he said during the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast that the studio checks in 'every six months,' which was 'just an exaggeration.'
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'You know, we have to say, 'There are different things that might work.' Something like that, you know? But to remake the movie or to suggest that there's a 'Back to the Future 4,' it just isn't in the cards,' Zemeckis shared. 'I would like to do the 'Back to the Future: the Musical' [movie]. I would love to do that. I think that would be great. I floated that out to the folks at Universal. They don't get it. So, [there's] nothing I can do.'
The original film is just three months away from a major milestone — celebrating its 40th anniversary in July.
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Vox
34 minutes ago
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Do kids need a best friend?
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(By emailing, you acknowledge that we may use your message in a story, and a Vox reporter may follow up with you. You also agree to Vox Media LLC Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.)
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Farewell Virat Kohli, the great emperor of Tests who revealed a truth about Indian cricket
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These eight LGBTQ+ Kansans make Pride Month worth celebrating. And all the other months, too.
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