Michael J. Fox's 'Future Boy': Unpacking 'Back to the Future' Secrets

Michael J. Fox is pulling back the curtain on some wild behind-the-scenes stories from the original Back to the Future, revealing everything from on-set friction with a co-star to initial awkwardness with his on-screen mom, all detailed in his new memoir.

TL;DR

• Michael J. Fox's new memoir, Future Boy, shares never-before-heard tales from the set of Back to the Future.
• He opens up about co-star Crispin Glover's eccentric methods that caused "friction" and how the crew literally "built a box" to keep him on his mark.
• Fox also discusses initial tension with Lea Thompson, his hectic schedule juggling Family Ties, dangerous stunts, and his inspiring return to acting in Shrinking amidst his Parkinson's journey.

Get ready to fire up the DeLorean, because Michael J. Fox is taking us back to 1985 with some seriously juicy revelations from his time as Marty McFly! In his brand-new memoir, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, Fox isn't just reminiscing; he's giving us the unfiltered truth about what went down behind the scenes of one of the greatest movies ever made.

From co-star clashes to juggling two iconic roles at once, and even some near-miss stunts, it sounds like making Back to the Future was just as wild as the movie itself. But it's not all nostalgia; Fox also shares poignant insights into his ongoing journey with Parkinson's disease and his exciting return to the screen.

When George McFly Had His Own Unique Approach to Filming

One of the most eye-opening stories from Future Boy centers on Crispin Glover, who played Marty's awkward father, George McFly, in the 1985 original. Fox, who was 65 at the time of these accounts in 2025, recalled that Glover's "eccentric behavior" often "created friction" on set.

Apparently, Glover, who was only 21 during filming, had his own distinct vision for George, one that didn't always align with director Robert Zemeckis or the crew's plans. Fox noted that Glover "never did the same thing the same way twice," making it a challenge to work with him, even though they knew each other before the film.

Here's a particularly wild anecdote:

"Nobody puts Crispin in a box. But that didn’t prevent the camera crew from literally building a box around him. As George McFly, Crispin had his own ideas as to how and where his character should move."

— Michael J. Fox, Future Boy

Fox remembers a specific scene where Glover just couldn't stay on his mark. He was supposed to walk in a specific lane, but Glover, seeing George as a "wanderer, a free spirit," kept moving perpendicular to the camera. The crew's solution? They "fabricated a miniature corral made of sandbags and C-stands, trapping Crispin into adhering to the parameters of the shot." Talk about dedication to getting the scene right!

Despite these challenges, Fox insists he "loved working" with Glover, acknowledging his "unquestionable talent" and respecting how "he remained true to George." Glover, however, did not return for the sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Part III (1990), with Jeffrey Weissman stepping into the role.

From Initial On-Set Awkwardness to Lifelong Bonds

It wasn't just Crispin Glover who presented an initial challenge for Fox. When he first joined the cast, replacing Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly after six weeks of filming, there was some understandable tension, especially with Lea Thompson, who played Lorraine Baines (Marty's mom in the past, and crush in 1955).

Thompson, who had previously co-starred with Stoltz in The Wild Life and was good friends with him, admitted in a 2024 interview that she was "probably not" initially warm to Fox. She recalled feeling "a little snobby about a TV actor" replacing her friend and wasn't "prepared to give me a bit of slack."

But as Fox details in his memoir, their chemistry quickly blossomed. He even improvised a joke in their very first scene together, where Marty, realizing he's only in his underwear, asks, "Where are my pants?" Fox suggested Thompson's character respond, "Over there... on my hope chest." The crew's delighted laughter after the cut was a clear sign they were onto something special, and Lea flashed him a "shy wink."

The immediate rapport and comedic timing they developed helped solidify their bond, turning initial awkwardness into a "strong working relationship."

Juggling Time Travel and Prime-Time Sitcoms Was a Real Challenge

Perhaps one of the most intense periods of Fox's early career was his simultaneous commitment to both Back to the Future and his hit sitcom, Family Ties. For three grueling months in early 1985, he lived a double life.

"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 wrote, describing 24-hour workdays that left little time for himself.

His schedule was brutal: wake up at 7 a.m. for Family Ties rehearsals until 6 p.m., then head straight to Universal to film Back to the Future until 3 a.m., only to get four hours of sleep before doing it all again. His Family Ties co-star, Justine Bateman, even recalled her confusion about when he managed to sleep, noting, "I felt like, well, if anybody can do that kind of thing, it’s Mike."

Reflecting on Dangerous Stunts and His Unwavering Spirit

Beyond the personal dynamics, Fox's memoir touches on the physical demands of playing Marty McFly. He recounted a near-disastrous stunt from the first film where director Robert Zemeckis wanted him to be on a skateboard, pushed by a car, for a specific shot. The film's assistant director, David McGiffert, had to intervene, threatening to log an official protest on the slate until a stunt double was used instead. "If he falls under the car, it’s over in a heartbeat," McGiffert argued.

Another truly frightening incident occurred during Back to the Future III, as previously detailed in his memoir, Lucky Man: A Memoir. In a scene where Marty is hanged, Fox miscalculated the placement of his hand around the noose, leading to his carotid artery being blocked. He briefly passed out, hanging unconscious for several seconds before Zemeckis realized it wasn't just incredibly realistic acting.

A New Chapter: Living with Parkinson's and Returning to Acting

In his mid-60s, Michael J. Fox continues to live with Parkinson's disease, a diagnosis he received at age 29. He's been incredibly open about his experience, sharing both the physical and emotional toll it takes.

"There are not many people who have had Parkinson’s for 35 years," he shared in an interview with The Sunday Times. He's also spoken candidly about death, stating, "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."

Despite previously retiring from acting in 2020, Fox is making an exciting return to the screen. He's joining the cast of the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ comedy, Shrinking, for a three-episode arc in 2025. What makes this role particularly special is that he'll be playing a character who also has Parkinson's.

His involvement came about after he playfully called series creator Bill Lawrence (a former colleague from Spin City), saying, "You did a show about Parkinson’s, and you didn’t call me?" Lawrence quickly brought him on board, crafting a concept they're keeping under wraps. Fox described the experience as liberating: "It was the first time ever I get to show up on-set, and I didn’t have to worry about am I too tired or coughing or anything. I just do it."

Fox's journey continues to be one of incredible resilience and openness, proving that even after facing decades of challenges, he still has more stories to tell and new characters to embody.

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

When is Michael J. Fox's memoir, "Future Boy," available?

Michael J. Fox's new memoir, Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum, is now available wherever books are sold.

Where can I watch the original "Back to the Future" movie?

The original Back to the Future (1985) is widely available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and others. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability.

What is the Apple TV+ show "Shrinking" that Michael J. Fox is joining?

Shrinking is an Emmy-winning comedy series on Apple TV+ starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. It follows a grieving therapist who starts breaking rules and telling his clients exactly what he thinks. Michael J. Fox will join the cast for a three-episode arc in 2025, playing a character with Parkinson's.

What did Michael J. Fox say about meeting Eric Stoltz after replacing him in "Back to the Future"?

Fox revealed he had a "friendly correspondence" and eventually met with Eric Stoltz, who was originally cast as Marty McFly. He wrote to Stoltz for his memoir, and while Stoltz declined to participate in the book, they met and had an "easy dialogue," confirming there was no "ill will" or "backstabbing" between them.

Sources

• The Independent
• Deadline Film + TV
• Newsweek
• MovieWeb
• The National Desk
• Decider
• ABC's The View