A character besides Marty McFly played by Michael J. Fox inBack to the Future Part IIIwas actually teased by a subtle line in the first movie. Given the ever-changingtimelines of theBack to the Futuretrilogy, each film had the opportunity to play around with its older, younger, and alternate versions of its main characters. This led to severalactors playing multiple roles inBack to the Future,including main cast members like Fox, Lea Thompson, and Thomas F. Wilson.
Aside from some obviousBack to the Futurerecastings, the actors in each installment remained the same across the trilogy. This allowed the series to feel connected and thoroughly planned out in a way many modern trilogies do not. Michael J. Fox was a big factor in this. Fox - who recently insisted thestory ofBack to the Future 4should not happen - played Marty across all three films and was the fulcrum of the entire story. Not only that, but Fox also played other characters, with one fromBack to the Future Part IIIbeing teased in the first movie.
Marty’s Grandmother Sets Up Michael J. Fox Playing Seamus McFly In Back To The Future Part III
Marty’s Family History Actually Makes Sense Thanks To Fox’s Dual Role
As alluded to, Michael J. Fox portrays Marty McFly across all three films but has several other roles. Fox also plays Marty McFly Jr. and Marlene McFly inBack to the Future Part II, as well as Seamus McFly inBack to the Future Part III. Interestingly, a subtle line that seemed like somewhat of a plot hole in the first movie actually foreshadowed Fox playing the latter role.
Donald Fullilove
Goldie Wilson, Goldie Wilson III
The line in question comes when Marty is having dinner with Lorraine’s family, his future grandparents, back in 1955.Marty’s grandmother says he looks familiar, which, to the audience, is a nod to the fact that he is her grandson in the future. However, this makes little sense, as Marty is a complete stranger to the Baines family in 1955. Although there could be a subtle, passing resemblance to Lorraine, for example, it would likely be unnoticeable.
It could be argued that Marty’s grandmother saw a photo of Seamus that has been passed down through the family, explaining why she made the connection between the two…
That said, Fox’s role as Seamus McFly inBack to the Future Part IIIcould explain why Marty’s grandmother recognized him. It could be argued that Marty’s grandmother saw a photo of Seamus, likely her grandfather, that has been passed down through the family, explaining why she made the connection between the two as both are played by Fox. Not only does this make sense of the line fromBack to the Future, but it proves that the first film foreshadowed Fox’s other role five years before the third movie was released.
Back To The Future’s Expert Foreshadowing Is One Reason The Trilogy Is So Great To Rewatch
This subtle detail, among countless others, proves how expertBack to the Future’s foreshadowing is. This makes the trilogy one of the best to rewatch, as audiences can continuously pick up on the subtle ways the filmmakers teased what was to come. From the figurine in 1985 that depicts Doc’s clocktower fall from the ending of the first movie to the explanation for the Statler family’s wealth in the first movie being found inBack to the Future Part III,the Easter eggs and hidden story elements included are all but endless.
Back To The Future: 10 Hidden Story Clues You Probably Missed
It is well known that the Back to the Future trilogy contains all kinds of incredible story setups and payoffs, but these 10 may be the most subtle.
These elements being teased with minimal effort is what makes theBack to the Futurefranchise so enjoyable. One of the elements that enabled this foreshadowing to work so well was the production ofBack to the Future Part IIandPart III. These films were shot back-to-back, meaning the intentional crossover and foreshadowing between both was done intentionally. With this in mind, connections between the firstmovie andBack to the Future Part IIIare made even more impressive as subtle details, such as the tease of Michael J. Fox’s Seamus McFly role.
Back to the Future Part III
Cast
The final entry in Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s timeless trilogy, Back to the Future Part III wraps up Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s adventures through time when Marty travels to 1885’s Wild West to save his mentor, meeting Biff Tannen’s ancestor “Mad Dog” and almost changing the course of history once again along the way.
