Michael J. Fox Recalls First Bizarre Meeting with Spielberg: “I Slapped Him on the Back!”

Every “Back to the Future” fan knows the incredible story behind Michael J. Fox being cast as Marty McFly in the sci-fi saga. Initially, the young actor was director Robert Zemeckis’s first choice for the role, but he was unavailable due to his commitment to the sitcom “Family Ties.”

Reluctantly, the director had to hire another rising Hollywood star, Eric Stoltz. However, six weeks into filming, Stoltz was let go because he played Marty too seriously, and his interpretation didn’t fit the character. Eventually, the production struck a deal with Gary Goldberg, creator of “Family Ties,” to release Michael J. Fox for “Back to the Future.”

When Marty Met Spielby

In his autobiography, “Future Boy,” Fox recalls a funny incident that happened just 36 hours after he was cast as Marty. Eric Stoltz had just been fired, and Gary Goldberg arranged a meeting at his home with Robert Zemeckis, screenwriter Bob Gale, producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg.

To me, Steven Spielberg was like a mythical being.

“I was in the presence of Hollywood’s finest creative talents. Steven gestured for me to take the chair next to him, facing the Pacific Ocean. To me, Steven Spielberg was like a mythical being. Just being in his presence took my breath away,” shared the time-traveling actor.

While this meeting with Spielby went smoothly, it reminded Michael J. Fox of an earlier, more awkward encounter with the man behind “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park.” “I had met him once before when he visited Gary Goldberg on the set of ‘Family Ties,'” the actor recounted.

“He had his back to me, talking to Gary, and from that angle, he looked like Murray, our sound engineer. As I walked by, I slapped him on the back and greeted him in my usual way. So, that day I said to Steven Spielberg, my future boss and the greatest director of my generation: ‘Murray, old bag. What’s up?'” concluded Michael J. Fox.

So, that day I said to Steven Spielberg, my future boss and the greatest director of my generation: ‘Murray, old bag. What’s up?’

Spielby didn’t hold this bold mistake against the young artist, as he would later be cast in “Back to the Future.” Great Scott!

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