‘Back to the Future’ Reboot Casts Michael J. Fox Replacement, Release Date Confirmed

Back to the Future has remained one of the few major film franchises that has never been rebooted.

Over the years, the beloved 1985 classic has given us two sequels, a ’90s animated series, a long-running comic book series under IDW Publishing, a Telltale video game, theme park attractions, and even a stage musical. But director/writer Robert Zemeckis and writer/producer Bob Gale have frequently opposed the idea of another film in the series, whether that’s a reboot or a sequel.

Will Back to the Future Be Rebooted?

Talk of a potential fourth film in the Back to the Future series, however, hasd circulated for years.

While Gale and Zemeckis share mostly the same views regarding the continuation of the series, Zemeckis told the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2024 that he would like to adapt the musical into a film, saying, “I would like to do Back to the Future: The Musical. I would love to do that. I think that would be great.”

As for the stars, Michael J. Fox has suggested that he wouldn’t return, but added that a female-led film could work. Christopher Lloyd has expressed an interest in reprising his role.

Perhaps the closest we’ll ever get is the musical, which involves recastings, new songs, and notable changes to the story to suit modern audiences.

Back to the Future: The Musical first debuted in Manchester, U.K. in 2020, before making a name for itself on London’s West End the following year.

With music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard and a book by Bob Gale, it’s a musical stage adaptation of the beloved film with original music alongside songs from the 1985 classic.

Related: ‘Stranger Things’ Actress Could Play Female Marty McFly in ‘Back to the Future’ Reboot

It received positive reviews from audiences and critics and has picked up multiple awards.

In 2023, performances began on Broadway, and the following year, a North American tour of the show launched. Since then, it has been staged in Australia, Japan, and on Royal Caribbean Cruises. New Back to the Future: The Musical performances are expected to take to the stage in other major cities around the world.

Naturally, the production has gone through multiple casting chanegs since it first arrived in 2020, including Olly Dobson as Marty McFly and Roger Bart as Doc Brown, famously portrayed in the films by Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, respectively.

New Marty McFly Actor Announced

Now, per What’s On Stage, lead casting has been revealed for Back to the Future: The Musical‘s first-ever U.K. tour, which opens later this year.

The musical recently concluded its run in London’s Adelphi Theater in the West End, but will open its doors again in Bristol this October, before heading to theaters throughout the country.

Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), who returns as Doc Brown, having originated the role in the West End, will launch the tour at Bristol and Edinburgh, while Axel Duffy will play Marty McFly.

Producer Colin Ingram said in a statement:

“We can’t wait to introduce Axel Duffy, who wowed audiences playing Marty McFly in Sydney. Back to the Future is one of the most technically ambitious productions to ever tour the U.K. and Ireland, combining groundbreaking stagecraft, spectacular effects and beloved storytelling on a scale rarely seen on the road. Finding performers who can not only meet those demands but also capture the spirit of these legendary characters is essential – the audiences are in for something special!”

The rest of the cast is yet to be announced.

For now, there are no plans for a fourth Back to the Future film.

Earlier this year, however, Michael J. Fox appeared in the behind-the-scenes documentary, A Future on Stage: The Making of a Broadway Musical, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and other platforms. The film features interviews with Fox, Robert Zemeckis, and Bob Gale, as well as several cast members and creatives from the musical.

Have you seen Back to the Future: The Musical? Let us know in the comments!