Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History
Hardcover | Kindle
Written by Michael Klastorin with Randal Atamaniuk
Foreword by Michael J. Fox
Preface by Christopher Lloyd
Introduction by Bob Gale
Afterword by Robert Zemeckis
Harper Design | HarperCollins Publishers
Release date: October 20, 2015

This month marks the 30th anniversary of Back To The Future, the Robert Zemeckis-directed Steven Spielberg-produced film that went on to become one of the greatest and most beloved movies of our time, spawning two sequels that were equally enjoyed. In conjunction with this milestone, Insight Editions has released Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History, a coffee table-sized full-cover hardcover packed with details about the film trilogy, highlighted with behind-the-scenes photos, concept art, storyboards, and a host of removable collectible-type items.

Though Back to the Future was an instant hit when Universal Pictures released it back in 1985, it was a long road from concept to screen for director/screenwriter Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale. Though the filmmakers had a great idea for a film about time-travel, their initial draft of the script was rejected by over 40 movie studios. A tidbit like that is hard to believe today when we see how deeply rooted the film is in current pop culture, but The Ultimate Visual History reveals their lengthy struggle, which also included their multiple attempts to get Michael J. Fox, who was locked in at the time to his schedule on the popular TV sitcom Family Ties, as the lead.

With all the recent hoopla and hullabaloo surrounding the 30th anniversary of Back to the Future, it’s easy to forget that the cinematic creative genius dynamic team of Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, and Steven Spielberg made some pretty adventurous films prior to it, films that in a way set the stage for this timeless classic.

There was Used Cars, the 1980 comedic quilt of craziness which starred Kurt Russell, and 1979’s notoriously panned 1941. But, before that was debut of the team and their glorious work with 1978’s I Wanna Hold Your Hand. The film — executive produced by Spielberg, and directed by Zemekis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Gale — was a love letter to not only The Beatles, but the American milieu and craziness that surrounded Beatlemania circa 1964, when the British foursome first landed on New York soil and played The Ed Sullivan Show.

We’ve seen some amusing and educational “Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know” videos from CineFix for movies such as Terminator, Fight Club, and Home Alone.

So when we saw that they were offering up some fun facts on one of the greatest movies ever made, Robert Zemeckis‘s 1985 time travel classic Back to the Future in celebration of the movie’s 30th anniversary this year, we of course had to share it.

Some of these fun facts are pretty well known, such as Eric Stoltz originally playing Marty McFly, but there’s plenty of bits many of you likely had no idea about. I know I had never heard of a few of them. Click on over to the other side to watch the video and find out how many Back to the Future fun facts are new to you.

Should have seen this one coming. In October, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will re-release the Back to the Future trilogy on Blu-ray in a box set in celebration of its 30th anniversary that will include the three films, every bonus feature from the previous Blu-ray set, and a host of new bonuses. Among them will be some new shorts starring Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown and other exclusive extras.

You can check out the official press release, packaging art, and a trailer for the 30th Anniversary Trilogy set here below.

In a movie world dominated by sequels and reboots and remakes, director Robert Zemeckis has made something very clear: you will not see his beloved 1985 time travel classic Back to the Future getting the remake treatment. At least not while he still lives and breathes.

Back in 1984, the contract signed by Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale with Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment included their right to deny any future sequels or other related movies. When asked whether he would ever agree to a remake by The Telegraph, Zemeckis replied “Oh, God no.”

Continue reading to see what else he had to say.