Why Lea Thompson Didn't Initially Warm to Michael J. Fox While Filming Back to the Future
The legendary cast of Back to the Future is known for their iconic camaraderie, frequently reuniting at events and conventions. Over the years, their friendships have only grown, but it wasn’t always this way, especially when it came to Lea Thompson and Michael J. Fox. In a recent interview, Thompson, who portrayed Lorraine Baines McFly, opened up about how she and Fox had a somewhat rocky start while filming the first Back to the Future movie.
Their initial tension was due to a combination of factors, one of the most significant being the production changes that occurred early on. Initially, Eric Stoltz was cast as Marty McFly, with Thompson already set as Lorraine. However, director Robert Zemeckis made the bold decision to recast the lead role after shooting had already begun, leading to some discomfort on set. Thompson had worked with Stoltz before and considered him a friend, so she felt the sting of his departure deeply. The situation was further complicated when Michael J. Fox replaced Stoltz.
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Thompson admitted that at first, she had reservations about Fox. At the time, he was a well-known TV star, famously playing Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties , while she was more established in films like Jaws 3D . There was a noticeable divide between the worlds of film and television, and Thompson, at the time, viewed Fox as "just a TV star." She humorously recalls thinking, "I was in Jaws 3D ," almost as a way of reaffirming her place in the movie star hierarchy.
Despite this initial skepticism, their dynamic began to shift as they worked together. Thompson slowly began to appreciate Fox’s comedic timing and how much fun he was to act with. She recalled how the scenes she shot with Fox were completely different from the ones she had filmed with Stoltz, and she noticed a remarkable chemistry between them that ultimately laid the foundation for their enduring friendship.
Over time, Thompson and Fox not only became close friends, but they also starred together in the next two Back to the Future films, solidifying their bond. Today, their friendship is as strong as ever, and they often reminisce about their days on set, recalling the challenges and triumphs they faced while making the trilogy. It's a testament to how initial misunderstandings can evolve into lasting connections.
So while their relationship had a rocky start, it turned into one of the most memorable and heartfelt friendships in Hollywood history. And now, decades later, fans continue to celebrate Back to the Future , with the trilogy available for streaming on Peacock.
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