It appears as though "Back to the Future" has reached its final chapter. As if fans of the beloved 1985 film hadn't already received enough confirmation when director Robert Zemeckis quashed the hopes of a fourth installment in the series last year, co-writer Bob Gale recently made his stance crystal clear. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, February 2nd, at the prestigious 52nd annual Saturn Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, where he, along with Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson, received the George Pal Memorial Award, the 73-year-old Gale addressed the fervent desire among fans for another adventure in the DeLorean time machine.
With a smile playing on his lips, Gale quipped, "People always ask, 'When are you guys going to make Back to the Future 4?' And we reply, 'F--- you!'" This playful remark drew chuckles from Lloyd, Thompson, and the assembled reporters. "No, we crafted three magnificent films, and the public kept demanding more," he continued. "So, we created 'Back to the Future: The Musical,' which Chris and Lea have graciously attended multiple times."
Gale further revealed that the Tony-nominated musical, which concluded its Broadway run last month, has taken on a vibrant life of its own. A North American tour is still thriving, and productions are set to open in Japan, Germany, and Australia later this year. "My goodness, Back to the Future is something I'll be involved with for the rest of my life," he exclaimed. "I adore it. Who could ask for anything more, truly?"
When asked about the enduring popularity of the franchise, in which she portrayed both Lorraine McFly and her ancestor Maggie McFly, Thompson struck a more gentle tone. "Chris and I have had the privilege of meeting countless fans in numerous places across the globe and the country," she shared. "It's astonishing during our Q&A sessions to find that half the audience wasn't even born when the film was made, and perhaps three-quarters now weren't. It's an incredibly humbling honor, something we never anticipated. It's been absolutely wonderful."
Last October, during an appearance on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Zemeckis, 72, echoed Gale's sentiments. While Universal Studios remains open to the possibility of another sequel, the director doesn't foresee it happening. "We have to admit, there are different avenues that might work," he said. "But remaking the film or suggesting that there's a Back to the Future 4 just isn't in the realm of possibility." Like Gale, Zemeckis expressed a stronger interest in the musical adaptation. "I'd love to make Back to the Future: The Musical [movie]. I think it would be fantastic," he enthused. "I've floated the idea to the folks at Universal, but they don't seem to get it. So, there's nothing more I can do."
