Christopher Lloyd, left, and Michael J. Fox in a scene from the 1985 film "Back to the Future." (Universal Pictures via AP)
Four decades after Back to the Future first hit theatres, Michael J. Fox still can’t escape Marty McFly.
“I’ll be on the street and some kid shouts, ‘There’s Marty McFly!’” Fox laughed. “No, this is an old man.”
Now 64, the actor has lived most of his life with the shadow — and magic — of his time-traveling alter ego. Neither age nor his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease has dulled the warmth and humour that made him a household name.
Celebrating a Timeless Classic
On Friday, the beloved 1985 sci-fi hit returns to cinemas for its 40th anniversary. A special 4K trilogy set — complete with an OUTATIME license plate — marks the occasion. Fox is also releasing a book, Future Boy: ‘Back to the Future’ and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, co-written with Nelle Fortenberry.
The milestone feels surreal even for him. “Sometimes I look at it and think about my family,” Fox shared from his New York apartment. “My oldest son is 37 now. He wasn’t even born when we made it. It’s a long time ago.”
A Film That Refused to Age
When Back to the Future premiered on July 3, 1985, it dominated the box office for 11 out of its first 12 weeks. Even then-President Ronald Reagan was among its fans.
Yet, what began as a slice of 1980s pop culture has become strangely timeless. Watch it today and the magic still works — not through heavy special effects, but through the DeLorean, a few clever jokes, and Christopher Lloyd’s unforgettable energy.
“The distance between now and 1985 is greater than between 1985 and 1955,” Fox reflected. “That makes it more accessible. People aren’t comparing eras anymore. It’s all fantasy now.”
Finding Marty McFly
Fox was just 24 when he jumped into the role — literally overnight. Eric Stoltz had been fired weeks into filming, and Fox, already starring on Family Ties, joined with no rehearsal.
“I had no time for nerves or self-doubt,” he recalled. “I just showed up, and suddenly I was in this wet, neon-lit parking lot that probably cost more than my whole TV show.”
Marty’s wide-eyed wonder mirrored Fox’s own whirlwind experience. “I got into that DeLorean and just felt right,” he said. “Marty doesn’t know everything — and he’s fine with that.”
Friendship, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Screen
Fox’s chemistry with Christopher Lloyd became legendary, though their bond deepened later. “He’s like a father figure and a little brother at the same time,” Fox joked. “We call Back to the Future Part III our ‘Brokeback to the Future.’”
Today, the film holds a different meaning for Fox. Living with Parkinson’s has given him a sharper sense of time — “that ticking clock,” as he puts it. Through his Michael J. Fox Foundation, he continues to fund groundbreaking Parkinson’s research and inspire millions.
Despite exhaustion, he says he’s content. “My kids are grown and doing well. I feel good. And I still love this movie — because I know how much it means to people.”
Every once in a while, Back to the Future finds its way back into his life. “One Christmas, I turned on the TV and there it was,” he smiled. “I sat down, watched it, and thought, ‘You know what? This movie’s really good. I’m good in it.’”
