Back to the Future Part II took audiences on a thrilling ride through time, from 1985 to a futuristic 2015 and beyond. The film is packed with iconic moments, but what happened behind the camera? Here are 10 fascinating behind-the-scenes facts that will give you a whole new appreciation for this beloved sequel.
1. The Future Was Almost Different
The original script for Part II had Marty traveling to 1967, not 2015. The future scenes were a later revision after deciding to showcase a more futuristic world.
2. Elisabeth Shue Replaced Claudia Wells
Claudia Wells, who played Jennifer in the first movie, couldn’t return for the sequel due to personal reasons. Elisabeth Shue took over the role, and the opening scene had to be reshot to match the ending of the first film.
3. The Iconic Hoverboard Wasn’t Real
Many fans believed the hoverboards were real, based on a joke from director Robert Zemeckis in a behind-the-scenes featurette. This led to a flood of inquiries about where to buy one!
4. Michael J. Fox Played His Daughter
In addition to playing Marty McFly and an older version of himself, Michael J. Fox also played his own daughter, Marlene McFly, in the 2015 scenes, adding some fun to the film’s family dynamic.
5. The “Jaws 19” Hologram Came True (Kind Of)
In the 2015 scenes, a holographic shark from Jaws 19 attacks Marty. While we never got 19 Jaws movies, Back to the Future II was uncannily accurate about Hollywood’s obsession with sequels and reboots.
6. Filming Both Sequels Was a Marathon
Back to the Future Part II and Part III were filmed back-to-back to save time and production costs. This unusual approach meant that the actors had to juggle two very different timelines almost simultaneously.
7. Nike Released Self-Lacing Shoes
The futuristic self-lacing Nikes Marty wears in 2015 became a fan obsession. In 2016, Nike finally released a limited edition of the “Nike Mags” with real self-lacing technology.
8. Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers Was in the Movie
The bassist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea, made a cameo as Needles, Marty’s reckless coworker who gets him fired in the future.
9. Old Biff’s Voice Was Hard to Do
Thomas F. Wilson, who played Biff, struggled with the older Biff’s voice and mannerisms. His performance took a toll on his voice and physical endurance.
10. The 2015 Timeline Missed Some Predictions
While the film correctly predicted things like video calls and fingerprint technology, it missed on flying cars and the widespread use of hoverboards. But it did get our obsession with big-screen TVs right!