How Michael J. Fox Became the Biggest Star of 1985

Before Timothée Chalamet, Tom Holland, and Dylan O'Brien, there was one bright young actor who stood out from the crowd...Michael J. Fox! Most known for his role as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, and his 30+ year battle with Parkinson's disease, Michael J. Fox is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. In the summer of 1985, he was THE biggest name in Hollywood. Busy with the hit sitcom, Family Ties, Michael J. Fox was originally unable to do Back to the Future, and the role of Marty McFly instead went to Eric Stoltz. While filming on Back to the Future began, Michael J. Fox got an unexpected break in production from Family Ties that allowed him to shoot the Indie movie, Teen Wolf.

Reviewing over a month's worth of Back to the Future footage, Director Robert Zemeckis knew he had made a mistake...he casted the wrong Marty McFly. Eric Stoltz was talented, but he wasn't right for the role. Working around Fox's busy schedule, and with the help of producer Steven Spielberg, Eric Stoltz was replaced by Michael J. Fox. After a dramatic shoot, Back to the Future wrapped production and hit theaters in July of '85. A month later, the studio behind Teen Wolf used the momentum of Back to the Future and released the movie in August. Teen Wolf took the #2 spot in theaters, right behind Back to the Future. Teen Wolf remains a cult classic, and Back to the Future ended up becoming the highest grossing movie of 1985. So, in the summer of '85, Michael J. Fox had the 2 biggest movies in theaters at the same time, as well as starring in the 2nd biggest show on television.

Currently, Chris Pratt has the 2 biggest movies in theaters, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at #1, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie at #2. The difference is, while Chris Pratt is a star, these movies are a part of a huge fanbase on their own. Back to the Future and Teen Wolf were not guaranteed to be a success...they were destined to.

Michael J. Fox has a new documentary out on Apple TV, called "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie". It's not a sponsor, but being a giant fan of Fox's, I'm excited to see it. I put a ton of time and effort into this video, so I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to like, share, and comment. Also, make sure to subscribe if you haven't already. I'm always working on new filmmaking/movie related content. These video essays have been very fun for me to make!

Intro music by Fuzzeke

Watch Marty McFry:    • Marty McFry - Banana Man Ep. 1  
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