Michael J. Fox Has One Big Regret About His Back To The Future Casting

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Michael J. Fox was ideal for the role of Marty McFly, but he does have one regret about being cast in the movie. Back to the Future is a classic film from the 1980s. Starring Fox, it’s a funny and exciting time-travel story that never lets up.

One of the main reasons people love the Robert Zemeckis film is Michael J. Fox’s performance as Marty. He plays a character who’s easy to like and connect with, bringing a lot of energy and a rebellious attitude that makes him charming. Plus, he has fantastic on-screen chemistry with Christopher Lloyd, who perfectly complements Fox with his own quirky and eccentric portrayal of Doc Brown.

Michael J. Fox became famous for playing Marty McFly in all three ‘Back to the Future’ movies, making the character a true icon of the 1980s. Interestingly, he wasn’t the first choice for the part. He replaced the original actor, but this meant another actor had to be recast. Fox still feels bad that his being cast led to someone else losing their role in the film.

Michael J. Fox’s Back To The Future Casting Led to Another Recast

via Universal Pictures

Eric Stoltz originally played Marty McFly and filmed scenes for six weeks before being replaced by Michael J. Fox. Fox hadn’t been available initially because he was already committed to the TV show Family Ties.

Michael J. Fox’s casting as Marty McFly led to a change in the actress playing his girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. Originally played by Melora Hardin, the role went to Claudia Wells. In his recent book, Future Boy, Fox explained that Hardin was replaced simply because she was noticeably taller than him, by several inches (according to Entertainment Weekly).

Melora was noticeably taller than me, and when I took over the role of Marty, it created a problem. Bob Zemeckis initially hoped audiences wouldn’t notice the height difference between us, but the women on set quickly pointed out that in high school, popular, taller girls usually don’t date shorter guys.

Fox expressed regret that his past biases unintentionally harmed a colleague. He also acknowledged that his height became a disadvantage later in his career, particularly when auditioning for romantic roles with actresses who were taller than him.

What Melora Hardin Has Said About Losing Her Back To The Future Role

Melora Hardin didn’t get the part of Lorraine Baines McFly in Back to the Future, but she later became famous for playing Jan Levinson on The Office – she was Michael Scott’s ex-girlfriend and boss. In an interview with The Joe Vulpis Podcast in March 2025, Hardin shared how Michael J. Fox being cast led to her being replaced in the film.

She explained she was replaced because of a height difference with her co-star. According to her, two female executives felt it would undermine the male lead’s character if he appeared on screen with an actress who was taller than him.

Hardin admitted that finding out about the situation at 17 was incredibly difficult and upsetting. She also pointed out that if she’d taken the role in Back to the Future, she might not have ended up on The Office.

If I had been involved, things definitely would have turned out differently. I wouldn’t have created The Office.

Although landing a part in the popular 1980s film would have been a highlight, Hardin still found success with a memorable role on the widely-viewed comedy, The Office. It’s fun to imagine, though, how different Back to the Future might have been if she’d acted alongside Michael J. Fox.

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2025-12-10 03:04