Book Review: ‘Future Boy Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum’ by Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry
Back To The Future is cemented in our pop culture. It has enjoyed the kind of generational appeal that only comes along once every few decades. It stands alongside The Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in the hearts of people the world over. But Back to the Future was almost a very different movie. Find out all about the movie that almost wasn’t and how one actor’s super-human commitment and work ethic changed everything in Future Boy: Back To The Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry.
[Warning: my review of Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum contains some spoilers!]
Looking Back on Back to the Future
Forty years ago, a rare kind of movie magic happened when everything came together just right for the Back To The Future that we know and love to be created. But it almost didn’t. Most people don’t know that Back To The Future was already halfway done filming, with Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly, when the directors and producers convinced Universal to start all over again with a new Marty. To understand how and why, we have to go a little further back in time.
Back To The Future had a rocky start to say the least. First, the writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale had to shop it around Hollywood. No one was interested in an incest-implied time-travel comedy. Finally, Universal said they would take a chance, and there was only one actor that the Bobs (as they were often called) wanted to play Marty: Michael J. Fox. But he was carrying the hit sitcom Family Ties at the time. His producer, Gary Goldberg, didn’t even let the Back To The Future group talk to Fox about the role.
The Bobs wanted to wait until Fox was available, but the studio gave them an ultimatum: make the movie now, with someone else, or don’t make it at all. So they hired Stoltz and started filming. But a month into filming, it was clear that Stoltz wasn’t working. To be clear, no one knocks Stoltz’s acting; he just wasn’t right as Marty McFly. So the Bobs wanted to do something really risky, start over again with the actor they actually wanted. They managed to strike a deal with the bigwigs at Universal: if they could get Fox, they could start over; otherwise, they’d continue as things were.
The Bobs begged Goldberg, and he agreed on one condition: Fox’s duties at Family Ties came first. He could film the movie at night, but if there is any slip in his performance, then it’s over. Goldberg presented the deal to Fox, and he jumped right on it, without thinking about how he was actually going to pull it off.
Michael J. Fox’s incredible adventure
And so began the most insane period of Fox’s life. Trying to be three different people, working around the clock, barely aware of the incredible magic he was pulling off. The story, told through Fox’s memories and with the help of others who were there, is unbelievable. The fact that Fox was able to even stand while performing, let alone bring to life the Marty we all know and love, was nothing short of astounding.
Hearing what that time was like through his words makes it even more amazing to me that Back To The Future is as wonderful as it is. Chauffeured around by teamsters, catching most of his sleep en route, hardly knowing where he was half the time, it was a difficult time to say the least. But Fox was only too happy to do it. Working on a Spielberg film is a dream come true for any actor, to be the lead on one when you’re just 25, Fox would have done anything, and honestly, he does. Everything he does during this time is unbelievable; you can tell that even Fox can’t believe he managed to pull it off.
Now this isn’t a Back To The Future play-by-play. Future Boy is about what Fox experienced while working on both Family Ties and Back To The Future back in 1985. He, of course, shares some behind-the-scenes information and tidbits. There’s some gossip (all nice things, all nice things) about his co-stars. But mostly it’s just about the work itself and trying to be everything to everyone literally 24/7. It’s absolutely fascinating, but maybe not what most people would expect.
Future Boy is a fascinating glimpse into movie history
Future Boy is a wonderful look at a cinematic feat that will never be repeated. Modern labor laws would never allow an actor to work so many hours a day, day in and day out, for months. Part of the charm of the book is how very clearly Fox’s voice comes through in the writing. The style is incredibly conversational and natural-feeling. It felt like Fox was in the room talking to me. The book flowed well and was a joy to read. Back To The Future fans will love this behind-the-scenes peek at one of Hollywood’s greatest treasures that almost wasn’t.
Rating: 9/10
Future Boy Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum by Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry is available now! Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let us know on social media!
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