We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy (30 page)

Tom Wilson and Jeffrey Weissman, who replaced Crispin Glover for the
Future
sequels. When Michael J. Fox first saw Weissman as George McFly, the star made the prophetic declaration, “Oh, Crispin ain’t going to like this.”

“I was kind of annoyed that Jeffrey Weissman was doing those scenes with me,” Lea Thompson says. “Crispin . . . was a genius in
Back to the Future
, so it was hard that he wasn’t there. It gave a real bittersweet feeling to revisiting those scenes.”

From left, Christopher Lloyd, Robert Zemeckis, Neil Canton, Michael J. Fox, and Steve Starkey.

One of Joanna Johnston’s costume designs for Doc Brown in
Back to the Future Part III
. Artwork by John Bell.

“I confess to having been infatuated with her, and I think it was mutual. We never got involved at all in any kind of relationship, other than being on the set and enjoying each other’s company,” Christopher Lloyd says about working with Mary Steenburgen.

Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg at the premiere of
Back to the Future Part III
at the Cineplex Odeon in Los Angeles.

From left, Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis, Lea Thompson, Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, and Huey Lewis at the
Back to the Future
25th Anniversary Trilogy Blu-ray/DVD reunion and launch party in New York City.

I
have to give the greatest thanks to Peter Steinberg of Foundry Literary + Media, the best literary agent I ever could have had on board for this project, for his support of this idea at a time when I needed it most, and Kate Napolitano, my fantastic editor, for all of her wisdom and guidance in maximizing my potential and making this the best book possible not only for me, but also for all of the
Back to the Future
fans out there like Peter, myself, and you, our readers. I have learned so much from both of you and hope we all have an opportunity to do this again sometime, after a well-deserved respite. Also, to Rachel Bressler and the entire team at Plume and Penguin Random House, I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done to make this book what it has become, especially considering our condensed schedule. I couldn’t have asked for a better home for this project.

There are two people who significantly went above and beyond to help me in my journey to tell the most accurate and comprehensive story I could. Bob Gale, coproducer and cowriter of the trilogy, was an early supporter of this book and was always available for my litany of questions and requests for assistance in getting a hold of some hard-to-reach cast and crew. His memory
is impeccable, and if over the course of this book you’ve wondered how I could have possibly known some tiny detail, it’s likely thanks to Bob. Additionally, Stephen Clark, executive director of BacktotheFuture.com, has similarly been helpful in corroborating my information, assisting in my hunting down of people, and generally being a soundboard for my ideas and frustrations. I can’t imagine what this book would have been without you both, but it certainly would not have been written as quickly as it had to be.

Between April 2013 and January 2015, I interviewed more than fifty people whose reflections largely informed the narrative I’ve constructed. Though all may not have been quoted substantially throughout this book, every conversation I had and email I exchanged with those who contributed to the
Back to the Future
phenomenon added something to the way I thought about this trilogy and bettered my grasp of what transpired on the set and beyond. With all of my heart, I would like to thank the following people for their time and access: Isa Alsup, John Bell, Clyde E. Bryan, Mark Campbell, Neil Canton, Tamara Carrera, Rick Carter, Stephen Clark, Ron Cobb, Darold “Doc” Crotzer, Dean Cundey, David de Vos, Mike Fenton, Tim Flattery, Charles Fleischer, Don Fullilove, Courtney Gains, Bob Gale, Richie Gaona, Paul Hanson, Melora Hardin, Oliver Holler, Terry Holler, Bones Howe, Joanna Johnston, Kenneth Kapalowski, Harry Keramidas, Huey Lewis, Christopher Lloyd, A. J. LoCascio, Ricky Dean Logan, Joe Maddalena, Dan Madsen, Leonard Maltin, Wesley Mann, Frank Marshall, Frances Lee McCain, Marc McClure, Gary Morgan, Scott Neitlich, Larry Paull, Kevin Pike, Elsa Raven, Peyton Reed, Scott Ross, Michael Scheffe, Bob Schmelzer, Arthur Schmidt, Sid Sheinberg, Tom Silknitter, Steve Starkey, Drew Struzan, Wes Takahashi, Lea Thompson, James Tolkan, Darlene Vogel, Joe Walser, Harry Waters, Jr., Jeffrey
Weissman, Claudia Wells, Cheryl Wheeler, Bob Yerkes, and Robert Zemeckis.

Several of the people listed above have fantastic agents, assistants, managers, and publicists who helped connect me with them. The greatest challenge in writing a book like this is clearing the gatekeepers, believe me, and I am thankful that the following people passed my request and proposal along to their clients and helped me reach them: Sarah Bauer, Michelle Bega, Nina Bombadier, Beth Comstock, Pearl Evidente Feldman, Andrew Freedman, Lily Gibbs, Julie Groll, Samantha Hill, Derek Hogue, Mary Hulett, Hannah Jacobson, Karin Martin, Evan Miller, Paul Miller, Judith Moss, Monique Perez, Maxine Pezim, Sabrina Propper, and Ivan Savic. Additionally, thanks are owed to Roni Lubliner and Jessica Taylor for their assistance on this project.

When I read a book, I often find myself turning to the acknowledgments first, especially if the author is someone I know. From personal experience, I know many of my friends do the same. I can practically see some of my favorite people quickly scanning these paragraphs, seeing if I’ve shouted them out, so, friends, you can stop skimming—this is your section!

I have to give extra-special thanks to Johanna Calle, who is frequently on the receiving end of my random bursts of creativity, frustration, excitement, and disappointment—whether she wants to be or not. Her patience and love is something I never take for granted. I also have to thank Christopher Ryan, Toney Jackson, Mathew Klickstein, and Dina Nasr-Heerema, fantastic friends and even better writers, who serve as a constant source of inspiration for me, often just through seemingly normal conversation. Also, my unending appreciations go out to Reeshelle Sookram, for running that top-secret errand for me in Los Angeles while I was trapped on the East Coast.

Terecille Basa-Ong has the best eyes when it comes to spotting typographical and grammatical errors, which she has been generous enough to share with me in order to make my books the best they can be. Fiona Sarne remains a fantastic source of help and guidance for me throughout the writing and publishing process. Jen Hale, and the whole crew over at ECW Press, I am still so amazingly grateful for the opportunity you afforded me with my first two books. Thank you all for your continued support of my endeavors.

Several of my friends have borne the brunt of my talking about the interviewing and writing process more than others, and for that, I want to say thank you for understanding when my thoughts could no longer be contained within my head and by my mouth. I can’t really repay you for the time you spent listening to me go on, but I hope seeing your name in print serves as a small bit of compensation: Josh Bellocchio, Phil Brophy, Daniel Carola, Angela De Gregorio, John and Rose Frontignano, Rasha Jay, Gregory Liosi, Vanessa “Curly Fries” Matthews, Steven Pfeiffer, Melissa Rotolo, Wendy Salkin, Stephanie Shaw, Michele Stein, Jared Wexler, and Anthony Zisa.

Last but certainly not least, I have to thank my family—especially my parents, Bernadette and Curtis, and my brother, Curtis Gaines III—for their unending support, love, and encouragement. I am so blessed to have you in my life presently and in the future.

To be continued . . .

Caseen Gaines
[email protected]
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