Back to the Future 4 will ‘never' happen, writer Bob Gale insists
The 73-year-old scribe - who created the beloved sci-fi trilogy with director Robert Zemeckis, 72 - has long stressed the 'Back to the Future' series is over, and has now emphasised that neither a prequel nor sequel will ever go ahead.
Speaking at Universal Fan Fest Nights about a possible fourth film, Gale said: 'I don't know why they keep talking about that! 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'?' 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.''
Gale added it would involve some serious convincing from studio higher-ups for him and Zemeckis to budge on a fourth 'Back to the Future' movie, though was thankful that Steven Spielberg 'totally respects' their decision to leave the franchise be.
The writer joked: '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.
'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.'
While 'Back to the Future's time on the screen may have come to an end, Gale added the franchise was still alive and well on the theatre stage with the musical adaptation of the first film.
He said: 'We've made 'Back to the Future: The Musical,' which is still playing in London, it's on a U.S. tour.
'We just opened it in Tokyo in Japanese, and they're just as crazy, or crazier, over there about that whole 'Back to the Future' as anywhere else.
'So, I mean, I'm humbled and blown away by the fact that Bob and I came up with something that has this much staying power.'
Looking back at the franchise as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Gale said he was proud to have created such a beloved film series that remains popular to this day.
He reflected: '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.'
'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.'
'Back to the Future' - which starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson - follows Marty McFly who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a time machine built by eccentric scientist Dr. 'Doc' Emmett Brown, and must ensure his parents fall in love to avoid erasing his own existence.
The 1985 movie was followed by 'Back to the Future: Part II' in 1989, with the trilogy concluding a year later with 'Back to the Future: Part III'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
This film star ruled the 80s, but you won't recognise him now
He was one of cinema's most iconic bullies – relentlessly terrorising Marty McFly – but these days the Back to the Future star looks more like your cool uncle than an 80s villain. The now 66-year-old actor Thomas F Wilson, who famously played the unforgettable Biff Tannen, was recently spotted out and about grabbing lunch with a friend. Thomas was seen wearing a dark navy blue T-shirt, dark grey cargo shorts, some blue sneakers and a black crossbody bag. But fans could be forgiven for walking right past him, because the clean-cut brunette Hollywood once knew has been replaced with a long white haired, laid-back family man. Talk about time travel, huh? Wilson was in his mid-20s when Back to the Future hit cinemas in 1985, launching him to instant global fame. His role as Biff, the growling schoolyard menace, quickly became one of the most memorable bullies in movie history, thanks to his snarling delivery of lines like, 'I'm gonna kick your ass!' It's a line Wilson revealed he actually hated at a Back to the Future reunion in Dallas, Texas earlier this year. 'I don't even like to say ass. I say A double scribble,' Wilson said. 'I never played a bully before. I didn't wanna play a bully. 'I've been pushed around by bullies my whole life … I was pushed around by everyone everywhere.' While Back to the Future remains Wilson's most iconic role, his career didn't stall after the DeLorean drove off. He also appeared in cult films like April Fool's Day, Action Jackson, High Strung and Camp Nowhere. And chances are you've heard him without even realising – he's voiced several characters in SpongeBob SquarePants, including the Tattletale Strangler, Flats the Flounder and Reg the Bouncer. In recent years, Wilson has quietly stepped away from the showbiz hustle. These days, he's more focused on stand-up comedy, painting (he's even done work for Disney theme parks), and dropping surprisingly wholesome YouTube videos. 'I make films when I can. I also make paintings, songs and stories. I went pro at arts and crafts,' his YouTube channel bio reads. Wilson, who has been married to his wife Caroline since 1985 – the same year Back to the Future premiered – has four children, who have largely been kept out of the limelight. The original film recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and Wilson reunited with the cast to reflect on the wild ride. 'They played the movie and the place went crazy,' he said of the original screening. 'Since that night, I have never seen a Hollywood screening go like this. The ovation lasted like five minutes.'
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Perth Now
Who would Stephen King want to play him in the story of his life?
Legendary horror writer Stephen King has picked Christopher Lloyd or Kyle MacLachlan to play him in the film of his life. The 77-year-old legendary horror author has considered what a biopic about him could be like, but although he would love to be portrayed by a "good-looking leading man" like Brad Pitt he thinks Back to the Future actor Lloyd or Twin Peaks star MacLachlan would be better suited to play him. In a fan conducted interview with The Guardian newspaper, King said: "I would love to have a good-looking leading man, but I don't think Brad Pitt would do it. He is a lot better-looking than me. I'm a little bit on the elderly side now, so I'd say maybe Christopher Lloyd or – who's the guy in Twin Peaks, the main tall guy? Kyle MacLachlan." King's books have been turned into multiple movies with successes including Carrie, It, Misery, The Green Mile and The Shining - which was directed by Stanley Kubrick but famously disliked by the writer. The latest adaptation of one of his books is new fantasy drama movie The Life of Chuck, directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Carl Lumbly, Benjamin Pajak, Jacob Tremblay and Mark Hamill. After decades of seeing his books turned into films, King still gets excited when someone is inspired to bring one of his stories to the screen. He said: "I'm still excited when somebody makes a movie out of something that I've done. I was excited to see The Monkey earlier this year, and The Life of Chuck. I'm very excited to see The Running Man, which was filmed in England. I don't write with movies in mind. I just write what seems like a good story that people and I will enjoy. Then whatever happens to it happens. That's fine. I like the movies, but I think they're different things, like apples and oranges, so to speak." Before making it as a horror writer, King had numerous jobs, but no matter how mundane they may seem he insists you can always find inspiration for stories. Recalling a job he had in a mill, he shared: "I got some inspiration when I worked in a mill. We had to clean the place out and there were a lot of big rats in the basement. I wrote a story about that, and then I was off and running. "I think any kind of a job that is manual labour – what in the US we call a blue-collar worker – is good experience for a writer. You don't want a job where you can sit down in a clean, well-lit room and not have to clean up s***."
Perth Now
07-08-2025
- Perth Now
Heidi Klum teases 'extra ugly' Halloween look
Heidi Klum plans to look "extra ugly and super scary" this Halloween. The 52-year-old model is well-known for throwing star-studded Halloween parties, and Heidi is already preparing for her next big bash. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Heidi shared: "I'm going to do my Halloween party. I'm hard at work already. "Ooohh, I'm gonna be extra ugly and super scary. Let's not ruin it. We have exactly 86 days, but who's counting?' Heidi confirmed that she actually started planning the party "months ago". The model also revealed she loved the E.T-inspired outfit that she wore last year. She said: "I loved being E.T. so much. "It was so heavy holding that head on my head because it goes from the back to the front. I thought my neck was going to snap off." Heidi's party has grown in size and popularity over the years, and she now has a team of people who help her to prepare for the bash. She shared: "Over the years, I've met amazing people, and they help me now." Meanwhile, Heidi recently confessed that she's always been "very open with [her] body". The runway star came under fire in 2023, when she appeared in a racy advert alongside her daughter Leni, but Heidi hasn't allowed the backlash to bother her. She told People: "A lot of people are like, 'Oh, I don't know about mom and daughter doing this together'. "But for us? I'm proud of my daughter. She's fine with me like that." Heidi insisted that she has a typically "European" attitude towards her own body. The model - who also has Henry, 19, Johan, 18, and Lou, 15 - said: "I've always been very open with my body. When I'm suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on. I'm European … my kids don't know me any other way and are probably more easygoing with their bodies because of it." On the other hand, Heidi still considers herself to be a cautious parent in other ways. She explained: "When they're young, you're worried they're going to jump in the pool or stick their finger in a socket. "Then they're driving. Then it's sex, drugs and rock and roll. You hope the seed you planted in them grows. That they're good people. That they're healthy. But you always worry. And I know I'll still be worrying when I'm 80."
