Christopher Lloyd on What Would ‘Justify’ a ‘Back to the Future’ Sequel

Christopher Lloyd revealed his thoughts on a potential new 'Back to the Future' film. He also discussed how Doc Brown stacks up to his other famous roles.

Some actors don’t want their movies tampered with, while others welcome sequels and remakes. Christopher Lloyd revealed his thoughts on a potential new Back to the Future film. He also discussed how Doc Brown stacks up to his other famous roles.

Christopher Lloyd said a new ‘Back to the Future’ could be ‘brilliant’

The Back to the Future films each have a different flavor. The original movie showed us the 1950s, Back to the Future Part II showed us a futuristic 2015, and Back to the Future Part III was set in the Old West in 1885. While the films told different stories, they all relied on the charisma of Loyd’s Doc Brown to engage audiences. A Back to the Future movie without him would be a big adjustment for fans, many of whom see the Back to the Future trilogy as an integral part of their childhoods.

During a 2023 interview with Variety, Lloyd was asked about the possibility of a fourth Back to the Future film. “I would love to do a sequel, but I think [director] Bob Zemeckis and [producer Steven] Spielberg felt that they told the story in the three episodes,” he said. “But if somebody has a brilliant idea that would justify a fourth film, it might happen.”

What Michael J. Fox said about a 4th ‘Back to the Future’ film

In Lloyd’s opinion, the chemistry between himself and Michael J. Fox was magnetic. “There was a certain ease between us,” he said. “I didn’t have to struggle [to] get there with Michael. There was never any conflict. It just fit. And it’s never stopped. I feel like we could go and do it again after all these years and not have to think about the relationship between Marty and Doc.”

Fox also chimed in on whether or not someone offered him a role in a fourth Back to the Future movie. “I’m sure somebody thought about it,” Fox said. “But I was in the early stages of Parkinson’s at that point, so I don’t know that I would have wanted to take that on. Right after Part III had done well, there might have been conversations about it, but I never got involved in them.”

Christopher Lloyd compared Doc Brown to his other characters

Loyd landed many enviable roles, including Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Professor Plum in the cult classic Clue, Uncle Fester in the first two theatrical Addams Family movies, and Commander Kruge, a Klingon villain in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. He managed to maintain a reputation as a talented character actor despite appearing in a number of blockbuster movies. He also found success on television, playing Reverend Jim in the hit series Taxi.

During a 2024 interview with Variety, Loyd said that none of his other roles compared to Doc Brown. He’s proud that many people love the films, noting that the trilogy inspired fans to become doctors and scientists. The actor is grateful to have been part of something that prominent. Loyd was never a movie star in the conventional sense, but he impacted people more than many others who saw their name in flashing lights.

Lloyd would be willing to play Doc Brown again, but he feels that the first three movies told the story they needed to tell.