Here’s a quick cast and character guide to Back To The Future. The original Back To The Future is a high concept sci-fi comedy where teenager Marty is sent back in time by 30 years. Not only does he need to figure a way back to his own time, but he also has to unite his teenage mother and father or he’ll never exist. Back To The Future is a perfectly assembled movie, with a great script, characters, and performances. Its success wasn’t a given, however, with the movie being almost entirely reshot when original lead actor Eric Stoltz was fired after six weeks of filming when his comic abilities were found wanting.
The success of Back To The Future ensured a sequel, with Parts II & III being shot back to back. The Back To The Future trilogy is beloved among fans, but despite spawning a cartoon series, video games and short film Doc Brown Saves The World, there hasn’t been a new sequel since 1990’s Part III. That’s because creators Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale were adamant the series end with the third movie, and feel any attempt to relaunch the franchise would just prove disappointing to audiences. While there’s always a chance something could change their minds, it seems doubtful Back To The Future 4 will happen.
Let’s return to Back To The Future’s Hill Valley for a look at the first movie’s cast and characters.
Michael J. Fox - Marty McFly
Marty is an easygoing teenager who likes to skateboard and play guitar, but his temper sometimes gets him into trouble, especially when he’d dubbed a coward. Back To The Future finds him having to avoid his teenage mother Lorraine’s advances while coaching his father George on how to woo her. Michael J. Fox of Teen Wolf and Spin City fame took over after Eric Stoltz was fired.
Christopher Lloyd - Emmet “Doc” Brown
Christopher Lloyd (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) plays Doc Brown in Back To The Future, the eccentric scientist who invented the DeLorean time machine. The younger Doc helps Marty figure out a way to get back to his own time.
Crispin Glover - George McFly
George (Crispin Glover, Beowulf) is the meek father of Marty and his siblings, Dave and Linda. George is bullied by both teen and adult Biff and despite being a talented writer, his lack of confidence holds him back from pursuing it. Marty has to push him to pursue Lorraine when he accidentally interrupts how they originally met.
Lea Thompson - Lorraine McFly
Marty’s mother Lorraine is shown as quite a conservative parent, but once he meets her as a teenager, he finds she wasn’t always that way. Back To The Future milks uncomfortable comedy from Lorraine unwittingly pursuing her own son, with Lea Thompson (Jaws 3D) doing a great job contrasting teen Lorraine with her older self.
Thomas F. Wilson - Biff Tannen
Back To The Future’s Biff is played by Thomas F. Wilson (Legends of Tomorrow) is one of cinema’s most memorable bullies. He makes life hell for both teen and adult George and is shown to be cruel and vindictive, especially when he’s embarrassed.
Claudia Wells - Jennifer Parker
Claudia Wells plays Marty’s girlfriend Jennifer in Back To The Future, who sits out most of the action but is brought along for the ride in the movie’s climax. Wells was replaced by Elisabeth Shue for the sequels.
Next: Why Back To The Future Recast Elisabeth Shue As Marty’s Girlfriend
