The Beginning!

Is there anything better to begin with than the beginning? So that’s exactly what we are going to do, take you right back to when Back To The Future first started.

Did you know the very first idea for Back To The Future was in 1980, 5 years before the film would ever make its premiere? Likely, if you’re a big enough BTTF nerd to be reading this blog, then you have know exactly how the movie started and all the people behind the very simple idea that still amazes generations 35 years later. But in case you don’t or your new to this, let’s take you back to how it all began.

Before we delve any further in this blog, most of this information is based upon the writings of Michael Klastorin in “Back to the Future: the Ultimate Visual History”. This is undoubtedly the best book on Back to the Future out there as it includes never heard or seen before interviews and photos. Including emails, notes & professional art from when the movie was in production. If that isn’t enough it also comes with 13 removable (and amazing quality) props from the trilogy. This book is still available online from Amazon, eBay and most book stores. So credit here goes to Michael and everyone else who worked on this book.

Though both Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale had been contemplating the idea of a time travel film since 1975, the big moment came in the Summer of 1980 when Gale was at his parents house. At some point during his stay he came across his fathers year book and noticed his father was president of his year in high school. Gale then thought back to the presidents of his high school year, and remembered them in a “nerdy” fashion. This very moment prompted a question that was about to change movie history forever: If he was to go back in time and be a student in his fathers high school year, would he have been friends with his father?

Bob Gale shared this notation with Zemeckis, who toyed with the idea of what if your mother was the “miss cool” who wanted the attention of every male in the school. And thus Back to the Future was born!

Although early versions of the script included a present time of 1982, a Professor Brown, a shrimp and a Marty who works for a pirate video company, these little notations were in a few years time about to lead to something that would make theatrical history. Back to the Future was born with the title “Professor Brown Visits the Future” in the early 80s. No story yet. Just a title.

Zemeckis and Gale new instantly that this was the time travel story that they had been waiting for, and were eager to start production as soon as possible. This however was far easier said, than done. Despite being sold originally with a one line pitch, Back to the Future revived over 50 rejections from various film companies over the next few years. Including Disney stating that the films basis was “too risky” for them. The only man who saw potential in the film from the very start was American born filmmaker, director and producer: Steven Spielberg.

Though both Zemeckis and Gale had a great professional relationship with Spielberg, they were hesitant to have him be the one who produced their movie. They were worried this would be another flop for them, and they didn’t want the label of being the 2 guys that need Steven Spielberg to make a movie. However Zemeckis’ success in 1984 was about to change this.

In 1984 Bob Zemeckis had his first huge hit with “Romancing the Stone”. The films huge success, allowed Zemeckis to virtually make any film he wanted, with whoever he wanted. Without a second thought Zemeckis knew what movie he wanted to make. At this point he could’ve asked anyone to produce his movie, instead though he went to the one guy who liked it from the very start: Steven Spielberg.

However these 3 wouldn’t go on to write, produce and direct Back to the Future alone. Many other names were added to the production crew including: Neil Canton, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy. Production started almost instantly from this point, and casting wasn’t long to follow (more on that soon). Filming officially commenced for Back to the Future on Monday 26th November 1984.

A movie, can never be made with out a talented and in this case, comedic cast. In the next article we will discuss the casting process for the main Back to the Future characters. Including answers to many questions such as “Who will play Marty?” I hope you can join us for the casting discussion soon, and until then I hope you’re able to recommend this blog to you’re other BTTF friends and follow and support us on Twitter (@theBTTFblog). Hope to see you all soon.

For an expanded, more detailed and more accurate version of the story above, please see the mentioned “Back to the Future: the Ultimate Visual History” book. This link (https://www.backtothefuture.store/Back_to_the_Future_Ultimate_Visual_History_Book_p/978-0-06-241914-9.htm) will take you to the Back to the Future official store, where you can purchase this book. Or if you’re like most of us, and already own the book, simply take it off your book shelf as soon as you finish this, and have a read!