The ‘Insane’ Story Behind How Michael J. Fox’s Favorite Nikes Became The Signature To Marty’s Back To The Future Style

by

Every Halloween, it’s common to see people dressed as Marty McFly from Back to the Future. The character’s look wasn’t decided immediately, and it took several attempts to get it right. Interestingly, Michael J. Fox played a key role in choosing Marty’s famous Nike sneakers. However, there was a significant challenge the filmmakers had to overcome before those shoes could appear in the now 40-year-old classic movie.

Michael J. Fox reveals behind-the-scenes details from Back to the Future in his new memoir, Future Boy. He shares amusing anecdotes, like his dislike of driving the DeLorean, points out a plot hole regarding the time travel, and even explains how Marty’s iconic Nikes came to be. As he puts it:

I added a personal touch to Marty McFly’s outfit – he wore my Nike shoes! When we were getting everything ready for the costume fitting in Malibu, the team realized they’d accidentally left Marty’s shoes back at the studio. Luckily, I was wearing my own favorite pair – simple white Bruins with a red logo – so Marty could wear those instead.

Many people don’t realize Michael J. Fox wasn’t the first choice to play Marty McFly in Back to the Future. Eric Stoltz originally had the role and filmed for nearly two months before being replaced. Future Boy details Fox’s experience stepping into the movie mid-production, all while also filming his hit TV show, Family Ties.

Let me tell you, hearing Michael J. Fox talk about how Marty McFly’s iconic shoes came to be is a fun little story. Apparently, the original footwear for the character was accidentally left behind on set! So, Fox, quick on his feet, suggested the Nikes he was already wearing. He called them his everyday shoes – perfect for everything Marty had to do, from skateboarding to that unforgettable duckwalk, and just generally running around. It was a happy accident, really, and it just worked.

I was scheduled to start filming as the new Marty in just two days, but our costume designer, Deborah Scott, hit a snag. She needed several pairs of sneakers as backups, anticipating they might get dirty or damaged during filming. The problem was, the Nike Bruins I needed were completely unavailable. Deborah contacted Executive Producer Frank Marshall, who reached out to the manager of the Nike store in Westwood – his only contact at Nike. He confirmed the shoes were not only out of stock, but Nike had also stopped making that particular style.

The filmmakers needed several pairs of Marty McFly’s shoes to achieve the right visual style, but those specific shoes were no longer being made. Producer Frank Marshall was committed to using the sneakers Michael J. Fox preferred, so he contacted Nike to see if they could find a solution.

He connected with Pam McConnell, who had just started a product placement team at the company’s Portland, Oregon office. Here’s the rest of the story:

Frank explained their problem to Pam at Nike and took a chance, asking if they could make the shoes for free. He admitted they couldn’t afford to pay, almost expecting her to refuse. But surprisingly, Pam didn’t get upset. She simply asked how many pairs they needed. Frank, hoping to get enough for everyone Deborah wanted to help, requested twenty pairs by the following week, and Pam immediately agreed.

That’s an amazing story! It really shows the impact of movies – and clever marketing – when Nike went above and beyond to create the shoes Marty McFly wore in Back to the Future. It was a smart move for Nike, too, because the film became a classic of the 80s, and the sequel featured self-lacing Nike shoes – a futuristic invention the company actually brought to life in 2015, though in limited quantities.

Michael J. Fox shares more behind-the-scenes stories about playing Marty McFly in Back to the Future in his new book, Future Boy, now available!

Read More

2025-10-23 16:39