Michael J. Fox Spills Back to the Future Set Secrets & Life Lessons

Get ready for some truly epic behind-the-scenes stories! Michael J. Fox is opening up about the making of Back To The Future, his co-stars, and his incredibly personal journey in his new memoir, and it's a must-read for any fan.

TL;DR

• Michael J. Fox's new memoir, "Future Boy," reveals the "friction" caused by Crispin Glover's unique acting style on the Back to the Future set.
• Fox candidly shares the grueling 24/7 schedule of filming Back to the Future while also starring in Family Ties, detailing how it pushed him to his limits.
• He also talks about mending fences with original Marty McFly actor Eric Stoltz and how he won over co-star Lea Thompson, plus his honest reflections on living with Parkinson's disease for 35 years.

Stepping Back into 1985: Michael J. Fox's New Memoir

It's hard to believe, but the iconic time-travel adventure Back to the Future just hit its 40th anniversary in 2025, and star Michael J. Fox is giving us the ultimate way to celebrate: his brand-new memoir, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum. This isn't just a trip down memory lane; Fox, who is 64, gets incredibly candid about everything from on-set tensions and impossible filming schedules to his lasting friendships and his very personal battle with Parkinson's disease.

He's been making the rounds, sharing these stories in interviews on shows like The View, giving fans a fresh perspective on the movie that made him a global superstar. So, grab your hoverboards (or just a comfy seat) as we dive into some of the biggest revelations from the man who brought Marty McFly to life.

The George McFly "Friction": Crispin Glover's Unpredictable Style

One of the most talked-about tidbits from Future Boy is Fox's recollection of working with Crispin Glover, who famously played Marty's quirky dad, George McFly. Fox describes Glover's acting style as exceptionally unique and, at times, challenging for the crew. He claims Glover "created friction" on set due to his unpredictable approach.

"He never did the same thing the same way twice," Fox wrote, detailing how Glover "had his own ideas" about George's movements that didn't always align with director Robert Zemeckis's vision. One particularly memorable instance involved Glover repeatedly wandering off his mark during a scene. Fox humorously recalls how the crew had to get creative:

"Nobody puts Crispin in a box," Fox joked in his memoir. "But that didn't prevent the camera crew from literally building a box around him."

They even "fabricated a miniature corral made of sandbags and C-stands, trapping Crispin into adhering to the parameters of the shot." Despite these on-set gymnastics, Fox holds no ill will, insisting he "loved working" with Glover. He respected Glover's unwavering commitment to his portrayal of George, even if his methods sometimes created logistical hurdles. For those wondering, Glover was just 21 at the time of filming and didn't return for the sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Part III (1990), where Jeffrey Weissman took over the role.

Juggling Two Worlds: Marty McFly by Night, Alex P. Keaton by Day

Before Back to the Future, Michael J. Fox was already a household name as the conservative Alex P. Keaton on the hit sitcom Family Ties. What many might not realize is the insane schedule he maintained, filming both projects simultaneously. It was a period of intense exhaustion, as he details in "Future Boy."

"Time definitely went rogue in the late winter and early spring of 1985, and took me with it," Fox wrote. "During three long months, I was Alex, I was Marty, and I was Mike. That's two too many. In order to complete my work, at least one of them had to go, and Mike was the odd man out."

He describes waking up at 7 a.m. for Family Ties rehearsals, finishing at 6 p.m., then immediately heading to Universal to film Back to the Future until 3 a.m., only to start again four hours later. It was a relentless grind, so intense that some co-stars, like Justine Bateman, didn't even grasp the full extent of his schedule, wondering when he possibly slept.

Beyond the mental and physical toll, Fox also faced real physical dangers. The film's assistant director, David McGiffert, revealed in the memoir that he had to intervene when director Robert Zemeckis wanted Fox to perform a risky skateboard stunt in front of a car. McGiffert flat-out refused, fearing for his lead actor's safety. Fox also recounted a frightening incident on the set of Back to the Future Part III where a stunt involving a noose around his neck went wrong, causing him to briefly pass out. Luckily, Zemeckis noticed he wasn't "that good an actor" and intervened.

From "Snobby" to Soulmates: The Lea Thompson and Eric Stoltz Stories

The journey to casting Marty McFly was a rocky one, with Eric Stoltz originally in the role for six weeks before being replaced by Fox. This change caused some initial tension, especially with Lea Thompson, who played Lorraine Baines McFly and was friends with Stoltz. Fox revealed on The View that Thompson initially felt "a little snobby" about a "TV actor" replacing her friend.

However, their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and it wasn't long before they clicked. Fox credits his sitcom humor for breaking the ice. During one scene, when Marty (clad only in Calvin Klein underwear) asks where his pants are, Fox improvised a line for Lorraine. Instead of the scripted "On the chair," he suggested, "Over there... on my hope chest." Thompson delivered it perfectly, earning a huge laugh from the crew and changing the dynamic between them. "She was all of a sudden really happy," Fox remembered, and their friendship blossomed.

This bond has clearly lasted, as Fox, Thompson, and even Tom Wilson (Biff Tannen) still reunite regularly, most recently for Thompson's 64th birthday in June 2025.

Perhaps even more heartwarming is Fox's account of reaching out to Eric Stoltz 40 years after the casting change. He penned a letter, offering an out ("If your answer is ‘piss off and leave me alone’… That works, too."), but received a "beautifully written reply" that playfully started the same way before revealing Stoltz was open to meeting. When they finally did, Fox described an "easy dialogue" where they realized they had no ill will towards each other. "We were just two dedicated actors who had poured equal amounts of energy into the same role," he concluded.

Beyond the DeLorean: Fox's Candid Reflections on Life with Parkinson's

While the memoir is packed with Hollywood anecdotes, Fox also shares incredibly poignant insights into his life with Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with at just 29. He's now lived with the condition for 35 years and speaks with remarkable honesty about its daily realities and his outlook on life and death.

In interviews, he has shared profound thoughts:

"There are not many people who have had Parkinson’s for 35 years," Fox told The Sunday Times. "I’d like to just not wake up one day. That’d be really cool. I don’t want it to be dramatic. I don’t want to trip over furniture, smash my head."

He describes his daily routine to People: "I wake up and get the message of what the day is gonna be like, and I try to adjust to it. I keep getting new challenges physically, and I get through it." Despite these challenges, Fox continues to live a full life, recently coming out of retirement to join Season 3 of the acclaimed series Shrinking, marking his first major acting role in five years.

Michael J. Fox's "Future Boy" isn't just a nostalgic look back; it's a testament to resilience, friendship, and facing life's biggest hurdles with humor and grace. It's a journey truly worth taking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michael J. Fox & Back to the Future

When did Back to the Future originally come out? The classic film Back to the Future was originally released in 1985, making 2025 its 40th anniversary! Where can I watch Back to the Future? You can stream the film on various digital platforms, and the 40th Anniversary Edition is currently available in 4K on digital platforms. What is Michael J. Fox's new book called? His new memoir is titled Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, and it's available now. Why was Crispin Glover replaced in the Back to the Future sequels? Crispin Glover, who played George McFly in the original film, did not return for Back to the Future Part II or Part III. He was replaced by actor Jeffrey Weissman due to contract disputes. Sources

• Decider
• The Independent
• Fox News
• Deadline Film + TV
• io9 (Gizmodo)
• Newsweek
• Parade