It’s the 25th anniversary of the terrific Robert Zemeckis time-traveling comedy Back to the Future–and they’ve released the trilogy on Blu-Ray disc along with a plethora of new extras, including never-before-seen footage of the original Marty McFly, Eric Stoltz. Stoltz was replaced after five weeks (yikes!) of filming with Michael J. Fox, and history was made. Here’s an actual production still of Stoltz in the role:
It isn’t the first time Stoltz has been replaced in a movie, and it wouldn’t be the last! Here are SEVERAL more films that Eric has been recast in (according to my imagination)…and some of them…well, don’t make a lot of sense…let’s take a look…
CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD
Eric wouldn’t shave his goatee, and thought it was comedy. So in came Marlee Matlin…
MAC AND ME
Boy, Eric would have been swell as the Mysterious Alien Creature. He was so method he removed several of his fingers and toes for the part.
DO THE RIGHT THING
This “Eric Stoltz Joint” was given to Spike Lee at the very last minute, taking away Eric’s story about a black pizza delivery boy in racially-charged New York City.
THE SHINING
This is actually creepier than the two young British girls that played the part. Kubrick made a big mistake here…
HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
Ok, now what was Disney thinking when they cast Stoltz in the physical dog role, instead of just letting him provide the voice? He was marvelous on screen, but kept bad-mouthing his co-stars. He also took a crap on the craft service table.
MURDERBALL
This makes no sense! It’s a documentary!
SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS
This is disturbing on a number of levels. I guess he thought that if he wore the makeup from the film Mask they would feel sorry for him and wouldn’t recast him. Didn’t work…
NUTTY PROFESSOR 2: THE KLUMPS
Well, the Mask makeup here makes sense…but since Eddie Murphy played all the roles in the first film, it didn’t make much sense to recast him with an entirely different actor in the sequel. Honestly, though…I kinda think Stoltz would have been better. He’s some kind of wonderful!
All the pics will be up in the gallery shortly…and future Stoltz posters will join them! Many thanks to Janet Varney, with whom I conceptualized the piece for the last Theme Park show we did at UCB…
Very thorough list, Stratton. Impressive.
Not the first time I’ve heard you mention Mac and Me, either. COMEDY GOLD.
I think Stolz would have also made a killer Stripe in Gremlins.
It’s still my favorite bit of movie trivia and I’m thrilled every time I see it as a comedic device. One of my old high school drama teachers had to fire him from some theatre thing once, which only adds to this myth of him always being recast. So just delightful, all of this.