As one of the best feel-good movies of the 1980s, Back to the Future keeps enthralling fans today. Even as it gears up to celebrate its 40th movie anniversary in 2025, it remains far too iconic to be remade. The characters, the dialogue, Alan Silvestri’s electric background score, and the hilarious storyline will never lose their appeal.

While some elements, particularly the awkward incest storyline, may not have aged well, it is funny enough and the movie is memorable enough for that to negatively impact viewing experiences even today. Not only is Back to the Future a comforting movie, but its sequels also live up to its standards and are just as cozy and iconic.

Back to the Future isn’t a movie trilogy where the second film is the best, because each movie has its own nostalgic appeal. As one of the few perfect trilogies ever, a remake is a blasphemous proposal. However, after four decades, one wonders who among the current actors would be cast in the trilogy if it were made today.

11

Marty McFly

Joe Keery

No actor currently working is more suitable than Tom Holland to play the funny, cheesy, sᴀssy, sweet, goofy, and daring protagonist of the trilogy. However, as the MCU’s Spider-Man, Holland is already linked to a major movie franchise today. So, it’s best not to consider him among the eligible candidates to play Michael J. Fox’s iconic Hollywood breakout role.

While the actual recording of Johnny B. Goode, one of the songs that makes Back to the Future a memorable 1980s movie ᴀssociated with one song, isn’t by Michael J. Fox, the actor does play the guitar on-screen. From typical rockstar antics to strumming the correct keys, Fox’s performance plays a major role in Marty’s persona as a rock-obsessed teenager.

So, there is arguably no one better to play him than Joe Keery. As a part of the music group Post Animal and as the musician Djo, Keery has proven musical talents. Moreover, his performance as the adorable, brave, and hilarious Steve Harrington in Stranger Things is the perfect evidence for why he could bring Marty McFly to life.

10

Dr. Emmett Brown

Willem Dafoe

Mad scientists have been around ever since the creation of the sci-fi genre. However, few of them have stood the test of time like Dr. Emmett Brown, or Doc Brown, as he is called fondly, who continues to be cosplayed and referenced even today. He is a genius who invented refrigeration in the 1880s and time travel in the 1980s.

Dr. Emmett Brown is so iconic that the version of him from the 1880s has a cameo in the Western movie A Million Ways to Die in the West.

It is nearly impossible to imagine anyone else as Doc Brown because of Christopher Lloyd’s unforgettably quirky performance as the scientist. However, Dan Castellaneta replaced Lloyd as Brown in the animated show, and his voice-acting complemented the wacky energy of the character. So, it is possible that someone could bring to life their own version of Doc in live-action, too.

So, who better to do that than the inimitable Willem Dafoe? While they are frequently villainous, Dafoe has played some iconic scientists over the years, most notably Norman Osborn in the live-action Spider-Man movies. His performance in Raimi’s first film demonstrates how he could also play a softer, nicer, and good, but equally crazy, scientist.

9

Lorraine Baines McFly

Reneé Rapp

Marty’s mother, Lorraine, is one of the most iconic characters in the trilogy. The stark contrast between her personalities in 1955 and 1985 continues to be a hilarious gag that entertains even repeat viewers today. Her romantic fixation on Marty in the past, which drives the main plot, is one of the most memorable ’80s movie storylines.

Lea Thompson played both the high-school and middle-aged versions of Lorraine Baines, and they will forever be among her most iconic roles ever. Lorraine’s feisty personality makes Thompson’s performance very memorable. The balance between the shy but forward high-school Lorraine and the sᴀssy but conservative adult Lorraine is the defining characteristic of Thompson’s performance.

As a lead actress in the first two seasons of The Sєx Lives of College Girls and with her iconic reprisal of the stage role of Regina George in the Mean Girls Musical movie, Reneé Rapp has proven that she has the perfect demeanor for Lorraine. She can be sincere and awkward when necessary, and is delightfully sᴀssy otherwise.

8

George McFly

Mark Eydelshteyn

Opposite Lorraine Baines’ confident, scandalous, and moderately outgoing personality is the awkward, goofy, and hilariously clumsy George McFly. He is the opposite of Marty in his social interactions. He never knows what to say, often mumbles his words, and has a complete lack of flair. However, he is studious, intelligent, and endlessly imaginative, too.

While George is a relatively distasteful play on the nerd archetype of the ’80s, he’s a lovable character who never fails to make an impression. As the success of his comic books in the new future proves, he is capable and artistically inclined. Crispin Glover’s skills as a physical comedian make George an unforgettable underdog.

So, the ideal man to play him would be Mark Eydelshteyn. As he proves in Anora, one of the best thriller movies of 2024, he can be romantic, silly, physically awkward, and geeky. Eydelshteyn also has the ideal physique to portray George McFly’s uniquely clumsy way of walking and moving. Moreover, he has that goofy smile that suits George.

7

Biff Tannen

Will Poulter

The Back to the Future trilogy wouldn’t be half as memorable without the iconic role of Biff Tannen, the bully who Marty McFly humiliates in every single movie. The running gag of manure dropping on him is one of the funniest jokes in the trilogy. Moreover, his unforgettable mix-up of common sayings will forever live on in the Hall of Fame of character quirks:

“Why don’t you make like a tree and get out of here?” – Biff Tannen

Actor and comedian Thomas F. Wilson brought the character to life in the trilogy. He is incredibly appropriate for the role, as he demonstrates especially in Back to the Future Part III, where he plays an 1880s gunslinging version of the character. His looming physical presence, complete lack of intelligence, and H๏τ-headedness make Biff an iconic bully.

From his immature and insecure character in Midsommar to his abhorrent character in Detroit, Will Poulter has proven his ability to play the bad guy. His impressive physical prowess, which he leans into for the MCU and more recently, Warfare, makes him suitable for the role, too. His range makes him ideal for the unintelligent bully character of Biff Tannen.

6

Clara Clayton

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Clara Clayton, the English teacher from the 1880s, may have appeared in just one movie in the trilogy, but she made an unforgettable impression. As Doc Brown’s romantic interest in Back to the Future Part III, Clara is a memorably intelligent, eloquent, dignified, and capable woman. She is the only person in the 1880s who shows interest in Doc’s work.

While the nature of female characters was changing in the ’90s, she still stands out as challenging the norm. Mary Steenburgen beautifully balances her composed and conversant side with her instinctive and daring side. Clara’s decision to run after the train in the climax to find Doc and ask to leave with him inextricably links her to the franchise’s future.

As the most veteran teacher in Abbott Elementary, Sheryl Lee Ralph’s character demonstrates many similarities with Clara Clayton. She is empathetic, relatively conservative, intelligent, and a capable role model. Ralph and Dafoe are similarly aged too, and their romantic exchanges would be entertaining to watch.

5

Jennifer Parker

Storm Reid

While she has a minor role in the trilogy, Marty’s girlfriend, Jennifer Parker, is an important character. She doesn’t have a significant impact on the plot, but as Marty’s love interest, she is often on his mind, and he always heaves a sigh of relief when he sees her. She also affects his character development in the final movie.

Back to the Future recast Jennifer twice, although we only see two different actresses portraying her. Melora Hardin was replaced mid-production by Claudia Wells, who was then replaced by Elisabeth Shue for the two sequels. Shue’s comic timing in the scene where Jennifer sees her future self proves she was the right choice for the role.

From movies like Missing to shows like Euphoria, she has already stacked a significant number of тιтles in her filmography.

Storm Reid is one of the most promising actresses currently working in the industry. From movies like Missing to shows like Euphoria, she has already stacked a significant number of тιтles in her filmography. Her acting talents make her appropriate for a variety of roles, and she has the chops to play the often bewildered and always energetic Jennifer Parker.

4

Older Biff Tannen

Mark Hamill

While he only has a significant role in Back to the Future Part II, older Biff Tannen is quite unforgettable. His actions move the plot of the movie forward, and his interactions with his younger self are some of the most hilarious scenes in the trilogy. The lack of difference in their demeanor also demonstrates how Biff never grows up.

The costume and makeup department of the movie did a fantastic job of transforming William F. Thompson into an older version of his character. His body language, which is appropriate for the older Biff, also demonstrates the actor’s range. While aging and de-aging actors is even easier today, casting someone else would be a simpler and more budget-efficient choice.

Moreover, Mark Hamill has a long history of playing villainous characters, as the long-running voice behind the Joker in the animated shows. He is adorable and enthusiastic, and has the star power necessary to fill Thompson’s shoes. Hamill’s incredible range makes him the ideal candidate to play the old man who bullies his past self, portrayed by Will Poulter.

3

Principal Strickland

Ken Jeong

The headmaster of Marty’s school, who was the headmaster when his father was a student, and whose ancestor used to be a sheriff in the 1880s, Mr. Strickland, is a different kind of comic relief character. While George and Biff are more clearly the laughing stocks, the humor aimed at Strickland is more dry and subtle.

Ken Jeong’s character in The Hangover also demonstrates his skills as a scary, chaotic, and unhinged man.

Strickland is a strict man who is always shouting and can be scary at times. He is principled and sincere, but Marty ignores him throughout the movies. James Tolkan’s enthusiasm as the ever-angry man makes his screen presence that much funnier. He also shows range, as the sheriff in the third movie is quite different in demeanor.

Very few actors bring as chaotic an energy to the screen as Ken Jeong. His portrayal of Ben Chang in Community, even after the TV show’s decline, demonstrates how he can be a strict teacher who is also a comic relief character. His portrayal of an angry man is both comical and scary, the perfect balance needed for the character.

2

Match, Skinhead, & 3-D

Tony Revolori, Dylan Minnette, & Alexa Demie

Every bully needs a group of lackeys who will obey him without question and cheer him on when he bullies people. Biff Tannen is naturally no exception. While they’re very minor characters with almost no dialogue beyond a few lines to build up Biff’s screen presence, they are still memorable.

The most memorable of the three is easily Match, portrayed by Billy Zane in his first movie role, alongside Jeffrey Jay Cohen and Casey Siemaszko as Skinhead and 3-D, respectively. Alexa Demie has proven beyond a doubt that she can play an unhinged bully very well, with her portrayal of Maddy Perez, who everyone seems afraid of.

Alongside her, Tony Revolori, who plays Flash in the MCU’s Spider-Man movies, will be a less intimidating and funnier presence, ideally as Skinhead, who has the silliest lines of the three characters. Dylan Minnette, most famous for 13 Reasons Why, has since branched out, and his range makes him a good choice for the quieter 3-D.