Robert Zemeckis Really Wants to Direct a Back to the Future: The Musical Adaptation

During his recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast (via Variety), Back to the Future director Robert Zemeckis once again reiterated he has no interest in directing a fourth film in the franchise—with a small caveat.

When asked if Universal “begs” him “every couple of years” for that legendary fourth Back to the Future film, Zemeckis answered, “Oh, every six months.” Though he then said the frequency of pleas was “just an exaggeration” on his part, the director confirmed the studios’ persistence isn’t too far off from that. Imitating Universal, Zemeckis added, “Isn’t there anything we can figure out to do here? Isn’t there anything we can do?’”

Knowing it’s best to be diplomatic, Zemeckis stated his usual reply is one one of noncommittal false hope. “You know, we have to say, ‘There are different things that might work,'” he said. “Something like that, you know? But to remake the movie or to suggest that there’s a Back to the Future 4, it just isn’t in the cards.”

While the Pinocchio and Here director remains adamant there’s no room for a fourth direct sequel in his beloved franchise, Zemeckis’ added he “would love” to direct a film adaptation of the current Broadway musical.

“I would like to do [a movie based on] Back to the Future: The Musical,” he stated. “I would love to do that. I think that would be great. I floated that out to the folks at Universal. They don’t get it. So, [there’s] nothing I can do.”

Containing original songs (“It Works!” and “My Myopia”), Back to the Future: The Musical additionally contains tunes showcased in the movie, including “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “The Power of Love.” Opening on Broadway in August 2023, the musical adaptation was nominated for two Tony Awards and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2022.

However, the show is closing on Broadway soon—potentially leaving a Back to the Future: The Musical-shaped vacuum only Zemeckis himself could fill.

As for series stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Fox has repeatedly echoed Zemeckis’ sentiments about a fourth film, answering in a separate Variety article last year, “Do what you want. It’s your movie. I got paid already.”

Lloyd, though, has historically been more open to the idea. In the same piece, Lloyd answered “I would love to do a sequel, but I think Bob Zemeckis and [producer Steven] Spielberg felt that they told the story in the three episodes. But if somebody has a brilliant idea that would justify a fourth film, it might happen.”

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