Quick Read
- Actor Thomas ‘Tom’ Wilson feared being fired from ‘Back to the Future’ due to difficulties with Eric Stoltz’s method acting.
- Stoltz reportedly insisted on being called ‘Marty’ on set and treated Wilson ‘very badly’ due to their characters’ dynamic.
- Wilson felt Stoltz was ‘out of synch’ with the rest of the cast and questioned his own acting abilities.
- Director Robert Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale informed Wilson that Michael J. Fox would replace Stoltz, much to Wilson’s relief.
- Michael J. Fox was the original choice for Marty, but scheduling conflicts with ‘Family Ties’ initially prevented his casting.
PASADENA (Azat TV) – Actor Thomas “Tom” Wilson, best known for his iconic portrayal of the bully Biff Tannen in the 1985 blockbuster film Back to the Future, has recently shared candid details about the tumultuous early production of the movie. Wilson revealed that he genuinely believed he was on the verge of being fired before the pivotal decision was made to replace Eric Stoltz with Michael J. Fox in the lead role of Marty McFly.
On-Set Tensions with Eric Stoltz’s Method Acting
Wilson’s revelations came during a January 20 appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast, Inside of You. He recounted that Eric Stoltz had filmed as Marty McFly for several weeks, immersing himself in the role through method acting. According to Wilson, Stoltz insisted that cast and crew refer to him as ‘Marty’ at all times on set. This approach, Wilson explained, led to significant interpersonal friction, particularly given the antagonistic dynamic between their characters, Biff and Marty.
Wilson described how Stoltz’s commitment to staying in character resulted in him being treated ‘very badly’ during production. He noted the contrast in Stoltz’s behavior when interacting with Lea Thompson, who played Marty’s mother, Lorraine Baines-McFly. Stoltz and Thompson had a prior working relationship from the 1984 film The Wildlife, and their interactions on the Back to the Future set were notably amicable, leading Wilson to perceive Stoltz’s method as ‘selective.’
The veteran actor expressed his frustration with working alongside Stoltz, stating he felt the Pulp Fiction actor was ‘out of synch with the entire cast.’ Wilson admitted to questioning his own abilities during this period, despite his extensive theater experience, because Stoltz had more film credits. He recalled thinking, ‘What was that? I don’t think we were in the same scene together,’ after takes, and concluding, ‘I guess he’s right because he’s done movies. I must be wrong.’
The Call That Changed Everything
The mounting difficulties eventually led to a production shutdown, which Wilson initially interpreted as the film being canceled entirely. His fears were compounded when Bob Gale, co-writer of Back to the Future, and director Robert Zemeckis summoned him to the Universal Studios lot. Believing his struggles with Stoltz were the cause, Wilson was convinced he was about to be fired. ‘I thought, ‘It’s me. I’m getting fired. I’m the bad thing in the movie,” Wilson recounted on the podcast.
To his relief, Gale and Zemeckis informed him that Michael J. Fox would be replacing Stoltz. While the news of a recast meant re-filming many scenes, Wilson felt a profound sense of relief, grateful that his position in the film was secure. He highlighted the immediate positive shift in atmosphere once Fox joined the cast, stating that Fox ‘understood the vibe of the whole thing’ and made acting choices that seamlessly integrated with the rest of the ensemble.
‘I was so relieved because it just felt like we did a scene together, not you were doing a thing and I was doing a thing,’ Wilson concluded, reflecting on the improved collaborative environment with Fox.
Michael J. Fox’s Path to Hill Valley
Michael J. Fox himself addressed the recasting in a 2013 interview on The Howard Stern Show, confirming that he was, in fact, the filmmakers’ original choice for Marty McFly. However, Gary Goldberg, the creator and showrunner of Fox’s then-hit sitcom Family Ties, initially denied the request due to Fox’s commitments to the show. Goldberg reportedly stated, ‘No, it would be crazy. We’re on a roll and I can’t give him up,’ a decision Fox was unaware of at the time, as reported by AOL.com.
After several weeks of filming, it became clear that Stoltz was not the right fit for the role. Fox explained that he didn’t think Stoltz ‘was cheap and goofy enough’ for the character, emphasizing his own willingness to embrace the physical comedy and expressive reactions Marty McFly required. Following Stoltz’s departure, Goldberg struck a deal that allowed Fox to film Back to the Future during the night, while continuing his work on Family Ties during the day, a demanding schedule that ultimately led to cinematic history.
The enduring popularity of ‘Back to the Future’ underscores the significance of these production decisions, revealing how crucial on-set chemistry and a shared vision for character portrayal can be in shaping a film’s ultimate impact and legacy.