A "Back to the Future" Sequel? Nah, Says the Crew Behind the Legendary Trilogy
No subsequent installments have materialized for the cult movies in question. - The absence of subsequent installments in the cult film series.
During the final episode of "Cobra Kai" in early 2025, creators Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz raised the idea of a "Back to the Future" sequel. But if you're holding your breath for a fourth installment, don't. Screenwriter Bob Gale, 73, has made it crystal clear that the idea is a non-starter.
When asked about the "Cobra Kai" initiative, Gale responded curtly, "I don't know why they keep talking about it. Do they think if they say it enough, we'll do it?" He has a point—every interview seems to include questions about a potential sequel. And his answer is always a firm "never."
Why the cold shoulder? According to Gale, the original trilogy's just good the way it is. He quotes director Robert Zemeckis (72), saying the time-travel spectacles are "good enough." The exceptional trio—Gale, Zemeckis, and Steven Spielberg (78)—would have to agree to sequels for it to happen, and current indications are that they're not biting.
Spielberg likely has his reasons. He's known for safeguarding iconic franchises, such as his refusal to remake "E.T." Infact, he respects Gale and Zemeckis's stance on no sequels, saying, "He understood and always supported it. And thank you, Steven."
In the world of "Cobra Kai," Heald and Hurwitz have dreamed up a "Back to the Future" spin-off. Set in an alternate 1985 Hill Valley, the series would feature familiar faces: Thomas F. Wilson, who played Biff, Lea Thompson (Michael J. Fox's mother), and Billy Zane (Biff's accomplice, Match).
Meanwhile, "Cobra Kai" initially focused on series antagonist Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). However, as the series progressed, protagonist Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) began to overshadow him.
- Cult film
- Sequel
- Bob Gale
- Steven Spielberg
- Remake
- Robert Zemeckis
- Michael J. Fox
- Thomas F. Wilson
- Lea Thompson
- Billy Zane
- William Zabka
- Ralph Macchio
[1] Preserving the legacy of iconic franchises[2] The integrity of the original "Back to the Future" trilogy[3] The animated series as a continuation, but not a direct sequel
- Despite creators Josh Heald and Jon Hurwitz's idea for a "Back to the Future" sequel in the "Cobra Kai" series, screenwriter Bob Gale firmly maintains that a fourth installment is a non-starter, aligning with legendary director Robert Zemeckis's view that the original trilogy is good the way it is.
- As Kai trains in karate and dreams of becoming a star, he may find inspiration in the cult film "Back to the Future," produced by iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who's known for preserving the legacy of iconic franchises and respects Gale and Zemeckis's stance on no sequels.
- In an alternate 1985 Hill Valley, the proposed "Back to the Future" spin-off envisioned by Heald and Hurwitz would bring back familiar faces such as Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, Billy Zane, and William Zabka, marking a potential contribution to the movies-and-tv entertainment sector.
- As protagonist Daniel LaRusso began to overshadow antagonist Johnny Lawrence in the "Cobra Kai" series, one might argue that Daniel, like Michael J. Fox's character in "Back to the Future," is destined for a bright future in the world of entertainment, much like Kai's aspirations.
