Back to Future Celebrates 40 Years as Lea Thompson Praises Original’s Screenplay

As "Back to the Future" marks its 40th anniversary, Lea Thompson, who played Lorraine McFly in the franchise, has reflected on the enduring appeal of the series, especially the original film. Thompson praised the first movie as having a "perfect screenplay," appreciating its conciseness and strong structure, unlike the second and third films which were originally intended to be a single movie but split into two. She noted that the original film was made without plans for a sequel, highlighting how its success was unexpected. Thompson also shared that she had a smaller role in the third installment, which she did not favor as much, while co-star Christopher Lloyd prefers the third film due to a unique personal moment. The franchise continues to resonate across generations, with fans old and new celebrating its timeless story and clever screenplay by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis. Michael J. Fox, who played Marty McFly, also favors the first film, reflecting on the overwhelming experience of its production and impact.