The Story Behind What Happened When Michael J. Fox Finally Met Back To The Future’s Original Marty McFly Actor

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It’s fascinating to consider how different *Back to the Future*, a beloved 1980s film, might have been with a different lead actor. Surprisingly, Eric Stoltz was initially chosen to play Marty McFly, but he was later replaced by Michael J. Fox, who was already well-known for his role in a popular sitcom. Now, four decades later, Michael J. Fox is sharing his experience of finally meeting Stoltz after the casting change.

The meeting took place in New York City while Michael J. Fox was collecting stories for his upcoming memoir, *Future Boy*. The book looks back at a busy time in his career when he filmed *Back to the Future* at night and *Family Ties* during the day. People magazine first reported the reunion, and Fox shared details about meeting with the *Pulp Fiction* star.

It was a really good conversation, just a casual chat between two people, which is exactly what I expected.

Those familiar with the story probably know Eric Stoltz was originally chosen to play the time-traveling teenager and filmed scenes for weeks. However, only one of those scenes still exists. Director Robert Zemeckis and Universal Pictures eventually decided to replace him with Michael J. Fox, the star of *Family Ties*. This change has sparked years of speculation and online investigation. Fox, now 64, says the real reason for the switch is surprisingly straightforward and not as sensational as people think. He recently explained:

A lot of stories have developed around what happened, painting it as something dramatic like betrayal or scheming. But it wasn’t really like that. We all just experienced the situation differently, processed it, and moved forward.

The actor, known for his role in *The Frighteners*, contacted several important people while writing his book, *Future Boy*. These included director Robert Zemeckis, his *Back to the Future* co-star Lea Thompson, and *Family Ties* co-star Justine Bateman. Although Stoltz initially declined to participate in an interview for the book, he later agreed to a private and respectful meeting at Fox Studios. The author explains he’s long been a fan of Stoltz’s work, and the meeting allowed both of them to better understand a significant point in their careers.

Interestingly, Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd had actually met years before *Back to the Future*. They both auditioned for the same roles in a 1980s military school drama called *The Lords of Discipline*. According to Fox, the audition was so energetic that Lloyd almost ripped his shirt, but neither of them got the part. This early encounter is part of a larger story Fox tells in his memoir, which details the difficult filming schedule and intense pressure that led to his iconic performance in the film.

For dedicated fans of *Back to the Future*, it’s surprisingly heartwarming to learn there wasn’t any hidden rivalry. It seems Michael J. Fox and director Robert Zemeckis simply shared a challenging experience, seeing the film evolve from different perspectives, and now have a chance to discuss it as colleagues.

Michael J. Fox’s memoir, *Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum*, will be released on October 14th. An audiobook version features interviews with his colleagues from *Back to the Future* and *Family Ties*, and includes classic sound effects that fans of the DeLorean car will especially enjoy.

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2025-10-14 00:08