Was Back to the Future Planned as a Trilogy?

The iconic film Back to the Future has captivated audiences for decades. It has a memorable timeline, from 1985 to 1955, and most fans wonder if this beloved trilogy was initially planned as a series of films. In this article, we explore the origins of the Back to the Future universe and address whether it was genuinely intended to extend beyond its initial movie.

Was Back to the Future Planned as a Trilogy?

The short answer is No. The subsequent sequels, Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III, were not originally planned as part of a trilogy. However, the film’s success and audience demand played a significant role in the development of the trilogy.

The Initial Standalone Movie

While many have speculated that Back to the Future was planned as a trilogy, the original intention was to create a standalone feature. The first film in the series was written and produced as a one-off, with no initial plans for a sequel.

At the conclusion of the film, George McFly and Marty are trying to solve the time-related problems in their lives. The script ends with a cliffhanger, showing George McFly reading a news clipping in his attic yearbook:

“Riot breaks out at rock concert at high school dance”

This ending leaves the audience questioning what would happen next, but it was not part of the initial script. The story was written to end with a sense of mystery and curiosity, setting the stage for a potential sequel.

The Development of a Potential Sequel

Following the release of Back to the Future, the positive reception and audience curiosity led the production team to consider creating a sequel. The impetus for the sequel was to continue the story from where the first film left off, addressing the issue of the kids' futures.

Steven Spielberg, the producer of the film at that time, recognized the audience's demand for a follow-up. In the developed concept for the sequel, the storyline would pick up directly after the events of Part I, emphasizing the timeline and the necessity for action to be taken for the future.

Back to the Future Part II and Part III

With the sequel in mind, production moved forward to create Back to the Future Part II. As development progressed, it became apparent that the plot was too expansive to fit into one film. The team realized that they had more material than they could cover within one movie.

According to the producers, they communicated this to the studio:

The bad news is that Back to the Future Part II may be delayed. The good news is that after Part II comes out, you will have Part III just six months behind it.

This announcement led to the unconventional decision to film Back to the Future Part II and Part III back-to-back, effectively creating a trilogy. The close release dates were a result of the desire to produce a cohesive and satisfying series of films that could conclude the complex narrative.

Conclusion

While Back to the Future was initially planned as a standalone movie with a cliffhanger ending, the success of the film and the audience's demand for more led to the creation of a sequel. This sequel, in turn, came with an abundance of material that made it necessary to create a third film. Ultimately, the result was a trilogy that seamlessly continued the story of Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and Biff Tannen.

The Back to the Future trilogy stands as a testament to the enduring power of a well-crafted narrative and the ability of film to captivate and inspire audiences for generations to come.