Robert Zemeckis Says They’ll Reboot ‘Back To The Future’ Over His Dead Body

Will a new generation go Back to the Future? The issue has been suggested, with some Hollywood moguls eager to cash in on yet another reboot, like the dozens of reboots and re-imaginings that have gone before. But Robert Zemeckis is surprisingly standing firmly against any Back to the Future reboots. In fact, Zemeckis has said that there will be a remake of Back to the Future over his dead body.

Giving that thought some consideration, Robert added that he hoped his estate would continue to block any Back to the Future reboots long after his own death.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Zemeckis was asked if he would consider signing off on a possible Back to the Future reboot. His answer was immediate.

“Oh, God no,” Robert replied.

“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.”

Zemeckis seems pretty adamant on the topic of redoing Back to the Future, but why? Apparently, Robert stands by the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and Back to the Future definitely still works well in Zemeckis’ opinion.

“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?”

Fortunately, the contracts signed in 1984 give Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale final say in any Back to the Future-related films produced in their lifetime. Robert does admit that a new Back to the Future film would do well based on the past successes of the original trilogy, but he can also imagine a new Back to the Future film falling far short of fans’ expectations.

“Pre-sold title, that’s the reason [a Back to the Future reboot would do well],” Zemeckis shrugged, before adding with a smile, “But can you imagine them getting skewered?”

One of the biggest issues holding Mr. Zemeckis back in regard to putting a Back to the Future IV into the works has been the unavailability of star Michael J. Fox, who has limited his acting projects due to suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

“The idea of making another Back to the Future movie without Michael J Fox – you know, that’s like saying, ‘I’m going to cook you a steak dinner and I’m going to hold the beef,'” Robert said at a fan Q&A.

Currently, Robert Zemeckis is directing The Walk, a drama about French high-wire artist Philippe Petit’s efforts to cross the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. The Walk, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ben Kingsley, will hit theaters on October 2.

[Featured image: Elisabeth Shue, Michael J. Fox, and Christopher Lloyd courtesy of Universal Pictures/Back to the Future Part II]