Robert Zemeckis is taking a stand for all of us: No remake, reboot, retool, re-anythinging of Back to the Future. Not while he’s alive. And, he hopes, not after, either.
Luckily for a world currently drowning in remakes and reboots, the original contracts for Back to the Future give Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale final say over doing any more films as long as they live. The Telegraph asked Zemeckis if they’d consider a remake:
Oh, God no.
That can’t happen until both Bob and I are dead. And then I’m sure they’ll do it, unless there’s a way our estates can stop it.
I mean, to me, that’s outrageous. Especially since it’s a good movie. It’s like saying ‘Let’s remake Citizen Kane. Who are we going to get to play Kane?’ What folly, what insanity is that? Why would anyone do that?
Unfortunately, Zemeckis is probably spot-on in thinking that he and Gale will barely be cold in the ground before Hollywood gets working on a reboot.
Zemeckis is also resigned to the fact that a remake would make a giant pile of money, regardless of quality or, you know, whether or not the original creators wanted it made. Christ, now I’ve depressed myself. Just... talk about remakes and reboots that were excellent in the comments for a bit. I’m just going to be over here, chasing these kids off my lawn.
Contact the author at katharine@io9.com.