Michael J. Fox Met With Eric Stoltz for the First Time, 40 Years After ‘Back to the Future’ Recasting: We Discovered It ‘Had Not Made Us Enemies or Rivals’
Key Takeaways
- Michael J. Fox wrote a letter to Eric Stoltz, who was replaced by Fox in "Back to the Future," to finally address the casting swap after 40 years.
- Stoltz responded positively to Fox's outreach, leading to a meeting where the actors found common ground and established a friendly relationship.
- Both actors acknowledged that the casting change was a professional decision and did not create personal animosity between them.
- Fox's memoir, "Future Boy," details how replacing Stoltz launched his career from sitcom star to blockbuster lead.
- Fox and Stoltz have maintained a friendly correspondence since meeting, exchanging witty emails about their lives and careers.
Michael J. Fox's new memoir, "Future Boy," discloses that he contacted Eric Stoltz, the actor he replaced as Marty McFly in "Back to the Future," after 40 years of silence on the matter. Fox admitted he was prepared for Stoltz to dismiss him, but Stoltz responded thoughtfully, albeit jokingly declining participation in the book, yet showing openness to meeting. When they finally met, the actors immediately bonded over careers and families, realizing they were both dedicated professionals who had simply poured energy into the same role, rather than rivals. Fox noted that Stoltz's replacement dramatically altered his career trajectory, launching him into blockbuster stardom with the highly successful film franchise. The memoir also reveals that "Family Ties" creator Gary David Goldberg initially blocked Fox from the role until the initial dailies with Stoltz proved disappointing to the production team. Since their meeting, Fox and Stoltz have kept up a friendly correspondence, demonstrating that positive connections can emerge from past professional shifts.
