One of my favorite memories of watching movies as a kid is watching the Back to the future movies with my brother. It was a Friday night in June, and my brother and I were exhausted from a tiring week of elementary school, so we decided to watch the first Back to the future film. We were instantly hooked and wanted to continue, but unfortunately we slept early. So the next day, instead of going out to play road hockey with our friends, my brother and I stayed home all afternoon to watch the second and third Back to the future films.
Most of the world agrees with my brother and I: the three Back to the future the films constitute one of the best film trilogies of all time and are therefore not to be confused with. However, Robert Zemeckis, who directed all three Back to the future films, suggested he wants to return to the franchise. In a twist, Zemeckis admitted he really wants to see a Back to the future musical film is made. Although he’s excited about the idea, I’m not convinced.
Remaking Back to the Future as a Musical Movie Sounds Like a Bad Idea
Despite strong criticism of the musical, a film adaptation does not need to happen
At a time when so many classic films are being remade, even when most people think it’s unnecessary, I admire Robert Zemeckis and co-writer/producer Bob Gale for being extremely protective of the Back to the future PI. Both Zemeckis and Gale emphasized that while they are alive, there won’t be a Back to the future remake or legacy sequel. However, they gave their approval to some Back to the futurerelated projects, such as musical staging.
Although I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing Back to the Future: The Musicalthe production received nothing but rave reviews. The musical adaptation premiered in London’s West End in 2021, before moving to Broadway in 2023. Having won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2022, there is no doubt that Back to the Future: The Musical it’s incredible. However, I don’t think it would be as well-received on the big screen, as many would see the film as just an attempt by the studio to cash in on a beloved series.
Why Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future Musical Idea Is Unlikely to Happen
Robert Zemeckis Thinks a Back to the Future Musical Movie Is a Great Idea
Although one of the biggest movie studios in the world, Universal, will probably disagree with me that the Back to the future movie musical would be a way to make money, they definitely agree that it doesn’t happen to need to happen. Zemeckis revealed that he proposed making another Back to the future film as musical for Universalwith him wanting to act as producer on the project, but admitted that “they don’t understand.”
Most would think that seeing Marty McFly, Doc Brown and the DeLorean on the big screen again would appeal to Universal.
At a time when it seems like almost every project proposed over mildly popular IP is getting the green light, It’s really surprising that Universal doesn’t want to jump at the chance to make a Back to the future musical filmespecially if Zemeckis and Gale were all-in on the project. Most would think that seeing Marty McFly, Doc Brown and Back to the futureThe DeLorean on the big screen would again appeal to Universal. Therefore, if the proposed film cannot be made under the current circumstances, I do not think there is a chance of us seeing a film Back to the future musical film.
A Back to the Future Musical Would Probably Be Better Than a Sequel or Direct Remake
A Back to the Future Musical Movie Would Stand Apart from the Original Film
However, although Zemeckis and Gale have always been protective of the Back to the future franchise, I think There will come a time when movie studios will desperately try to remake the original film. If this is the case, I admit that I would prefer to see a musical version of Back to the future on screen, rather than a remake that will undoubtedly not reach the quality of the original film.
If a Back to the future If a remake were made and it wasn’t instantly well-received, it would tarnish the legacy of the franchise, which currently has a very good reputation. However, since one Back to the future the film musical would clearly have a different tone and feel more separate from the original filmthere wouldn’t be so much pressure on the franchise. So if there comes a day when studios are eager to make a new Back to the future film, I prefer it to be a musical. Although if that happens, I’m not sure I’ll sing along.