No future for back to the future 4: Bob Gale shuts down sequel hopes

It seems the Back to the Future franchise is officially staying in the past. Despite the unwavering enthusiasm from fans eager for another installment, co-writer Bob Gale has made it abundantly clear—there will be no Back to the Future 4.

At the 52nd annual Saturn Awards in Los Angeles on February 2, 2025, Gale, alongside franchise stars Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson, accepted the prestigious George Pal Memorial Award. When asked yet again about the possibility of a fourth movie, Gale didn’t hold back.

“People always say, ‘When are you guys going to do Back to the Future 4?’ And we say, ‘F--- you!’” he quipped with a grin, prompting laughter from Lloyd, Thompson, and the gathered reporters. “You can quote me on that,” he added playfully.

Gale explained that the creative team already extended the franchise beyond the films by producing Back to the Future: The Musical, which has taken on a life of its own. While the Broadway run ended last month, a North American tour is still going strong, and international productions in Japan, Germany, and Australia are set to debut later this year.

“So, my God, Back to the Future, I'm going to be doing it for the rest of my life,” Gale said. “I love it. Who could ask for anything more, right?”

Lea Thompson, who portrayed Lorraine McFly in the beloved trilogy, took a softer approach when discussing the franchise’s lasting appeal. “Chris and I have the honor of meeting so many fans all over the world. It’s remarkable when we do a talk-back and half the people weren’t even born when the movie was made—maybe three-quarters now,” she said. “It’s an incredible honor. We never expected this kind of legacy.”

Director Robert Zemeckis echoed similar sentiments last October during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. While acknowledging that Universal Studios is open to another sequel, Zemeckis firmly stated, “To remake the movie or suggest there’s a Back to the Future 4? It just isn’t in the cards.”

However, Zemeckis expressed interest in a different kind of revival: Back to the Future: The Musical as a film adaptation. “I floated that idea to the folks at Universal. They don’t get it. So, [there’s] nothing I can do,” he remarked.

Though fans hoping for another DeLorean-fueled adventure may be disappointed, the Back to the Future legacy is far from fading. With the musical continuing to captivate audiences worldwide and cast members actively engaging with fans, the franchise remains as beloved as ever.

For now, it’s safe to say that time travel will stay within the original trilogy—and that’s just the way its creators want it.