Michael J. Fox’s other character in Back to the Future 3 was foreshadowed by a line from the first film

A character other than Marty McFly played by Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, Part III in fact, it was teased by a subtle line in the first film. Given the ever-changing timelines of Back to the future trilogy, each film had the opportunity to play with its older, younger, and alternate versions of its main characters. This led to multiple actors playing multiple roles in Back to the future, including main cast members Fox, Lea Thompson and Thomas F. Wilson.

Besides some obvious Back to the future recasts, the actors from each installment remained the same throughout the trilogy. This allowed the series to feel connected and completely planned in a way that many modern trilogies don’t. Michael J. Fox was a big factor in that. Fox – who recently insisted on the story of Back to the Future 4 shouldn’t happen – he played Marty in all three films and was the fulcrum of the entire story. Not only that, but Fox also played other characters, with one of Back to the Future, Part III being teased in the first film.

Marty’s grandmother prepares Michael J. Fox to play Seamus McFly in Back to the Future Part III

Marty’s family story actually makes sense thanks to Fox’s dual role

As mentioned, Michael J. Fox plays Marty McFly in all three films, but has several other roles. Fox also plays Marty McFly Jr. and Marlene McFly in Back to the future part IIas well as Seamus McFly in Back to the Future, Part III. Interestingly, a subtle line that seemed like a plot hole in the first film actually foreshadowed Fox playing the latter role.

The phrase in question appears when Marty is having dinner with Lorraine’s family, his future grandparents, in 1955. Marty’s grandmother says he looks familiar, which, to the audience, is a nod to the fact that he will be her grandson in the future.. However, this makes little sense, as Marty is a complete stranger to the Baines family in 1955. While there could be a subtle, passing resemblance to Lorraine, for example, it would likely be unnoticeable.

That being said, Fox’s role as Seamus McFly in Back to the Future, Part III could explain why Marty’s grandmother recognized him. It could be argued that Marty’s grandmother saw a photo of Seamus, presumably his grandfather, that was passed down through the family, explaining why she made the connection between the two, as they are both played by Fox. Not only does this make sense of the line of Back to the futurebut it proves that the first film foreshadowed Fox’s other role five years before the release of the third film.

Back to the Future Expert Foreshadowing Is One of the Reasons the Trilogy Is So Good to Rewatch

This subtle detail, among countless others, proves how expert Back to the futureThe foreshadowing is. This makes the trilogy one of the best to rewatch, as audiences can continually pick up on the subtle ways the filmmakers teased what was to come. From the 1985 figurine depicting the fall of Doc’s clock tower from the end of the first film to the explanation of the Statler family’s wealth in the first film found in Back to the Future Part III the Easter eggs and hidden story elements included are practically endless.

These elements being provoked with minimal effort is what makes the Back to the future So enjoyable franchise. One of the elements that allowed this foreshadowing to work so well was the production of Back to the future part II and Part III. These films were filmed back-to-back, meaning the intentional crossover and foreshadowing between the two was done intentionally. With this in mind, the connections between the first film and Back to the Future, Part III they’re even more impressive with subtle details, like the tease of Michael J. Fox’s role in Seamus McFly.