- Michael J. Fox reveals on-set “friction” with Back to the Future co-star Crispin Glover in his new memoir.
- Glover’s unpredictable acting methods led the crew to build a physical “corral” to keep him on his mark during a scene.
- Despite the tension, Fox maintains he respected Glover’s unquestionable talent and commitment to his character.
- Fox also opens up about his 35-year battle with Parkinson’s disease and his candid thoughts on mortality.
The Secret Friction on the Set of a Classic
In a revealing look behind the curtain of one of cinema’s most beloved films, Michael J. Fox has claimed his Back to the Future co-star Crispin Glover “created friction” on set. The actor, who iconically portrayed Marty McFly, details the behind-the-scenes tensions in his new memoir, Future Boy, explaining that Glover’s eccentric behavior while playing George McFly was often challenging to work with.
Fox, 65, admits that despite knowing Glover beforehand, he “was not prepared to act with him.” He explains that Glover’s commitment to his process meant he never “did the same thing the same way twice,” causing unpredictability for his scene partners and the crew.
“Nobody Puts Crispin in a Box”
According to Fox, Glover had his own unique vision for George McFly, which often clashed with the direction from filmmaker Robert Zemeckis and the crew. This dedication to his own interpretation led to some unconventional solutions on set.
“Nobody puts Crispin in a box,” Fox wrote. “But that didn’t prevent the camera crew from literally building a box around him.”
Fox recounts a specific instance where Glover repeatedly strayed from his mark while filming. “As Crispin approached the camera, he was meant to stay in a lane between the clothesline and me. But Crispin had a different plan,” Fox shared. “My guess is that he saw George as a wanderer, a free spirit who travelled in random patterns.” To solve the problem, the crew “fabricated a miniature corral made of sandbags and C-stands, trapping Crispin into adhering to the parameters of the shot.”
A Method to the Madness?
Despite the on-set difficulties, Fox is clear about his admiration for his co-star’s abilities. “His talent was unquestionable, although his methods sometimes created friction,” he writes. “Still, I respected how he remained true to George (as he understood and embodied him).” Glover, who was 21 at the time, was famously replaced by actor Jeffrey Weissman for the two sequels.
Fox’s Candid Reflections on Life and Health
Beyond the film set, Fox’s memoir also delves into his personal struggles, particularly his long-term battle with Parkinson’s disease since the age of 29. He shares his candid and pragmatic thoughts on his own mortality.
“There are not many people who have had Parkinson’s for 35 years,” Fox told The Sunday Times. “I’d like to just not wake up one day. That’d be really cool. I don’t want it to be dramatic. I don’t want to trip over furniture, smash my head.” He continues to face new physical challenges daily but is determined to get through them, adjusting to whatever the day brings.
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