So, you’ve probably seen the "trailer." You know the one—Tom Holland looking nervous in a red puffer vest, Robert Downey Jr. rocking a wild white wig, and a DeLorean that looks way too high-def to be from 1985. It’s everywhere on TikTok and YouTube. People are losing their minds. "Great Scott! It’s finally happening!" they yell in the comments.
But here’s the thing. It’s not.
Honestly, if you're looking for a new movie back to the future, I have some news that might sting a bit. Those trailers? They're fan-made "concepts." Basically, they are very clever deepfakes and edits using footage from other movies like Spider-Man or See You Yesterday. They look real because AI is getting scarily good at mimicking Robert Zemeckis’s lighting style, but there is no actual film in production for 2026.
The "Dead Body" Clause and Why We Aren't Getting Part 4
There is a very specific, very legal reason why a new movie back to the future hasn't hit theaters yet, despite Universal Pictures likely being desperate to print money with it.
Back in 1984, Robert Zemeckis (the director) and Bob Gale (the writer) signed a contract that is essentially the Fort Knox of Hollywood deals. It gives them total control over any Back to the Future films for as long as they live. And they’ve been incredibly vocal about their stance.
Zemeckis famously told The Telegraph that a remake or sequel would only happen over his "literal dead body." He’s not being dramatic. Well, maybe a little, but he means it. He views the trilogy as a complete story. To him, redoing it would be like trying to remake Citizen Kane. Why would you? It’s already finished.
Bob Gale is even blunter. He’s gone on record saying that seeing anyone else play Marty McFly would be like someone promising you a steak dinner and then "holding the beef." Without Michael J. Fox—who has largely retired from acting due to his Parkinson's battle—the "beef" is gone.
What about the Musical?
If you're craving something fresh, you’ve actually got a better chance looking at the stage than the screen. Back to the Future: The Musical has been tearing up the West End and Broadway.
Bob Gale actually wrote the book for it. It’s the "new" version of the story he actually wanted to tell. It changes things—Doc doesn't get shot by Libyans; it’s plutonium poisoning this time—but it keeps the soul of the original. There were whispers about a filmed version of the stage play, similar to what Hamilton did on Disney+, but Zemeckis reportedly shut that down for the big screen too.
Tom Holland and the Rumor Mill
Let’s talk about Tom Holland. He’s the reason these new movie back to the future rumors never die.
A few years ago, a deepfake of him and RDJ in the 1955 scene went viral. Even Holland saw it. He’s admitted in interviews that there were "conversations" in the past, but he’s also a massive fan of the original. He’s gone on record saying he wouldn't want to touch it because it's "perfect."
As of 2026, Holland’s schedule is actually packed with Spider-Man 4 and a secret Christopher Nolan project. He’s not heading to Hill Valley.
Why the Internet Keeps Faking It
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
The reason these fake trailers for a new movie back to the future get 20 million views is that the original trilogy is one of the few things almost everyone agrees is good. It’s a "perfect" script. Every setup has a payoff.
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- The "Save the Clock Tower" flyer.
- The 1.21 gigawatts.
- The "Johnny B. Goode" solo.
It’s all tightly wound. Studio executives know this. They look at the billions made by Jurassic World or Top Gun: Maverick and they salivate. But as long as the "Two Bobs" are around, the DeLorean stays in the garage.
Is There Any New Content at All?
If you really need a fix, you have to look outside the multiplex.
- The Comic Books: IDW Publishing ran a series co-written by Bob Gale that fills in the gaps, like how Marty and Doc actually met.
- The Video Game: The Telltale game from years ago is technically "Part 4" in the eyes of many fans. Bob Gale consulted on the story, and it features the voices of Christopher Lloyd and (briefly) Michael J. Fox.
- The 40th Anniversary: 2025 marked the 40th anniversary of the original film, leading to massive theatrical re-releases and new behind-the-scenes documentaries.
We live in a world of endless reboots. It’s almost refreshing that one franchise refuses to give in. It’s rare. It’s sort of noble, honestly.
Instead of waiting for a new movie back to the future that isn't coming, your best bet is to revisit the originals or catch the touring production of the musical. The story of Marty McFly is a closed loop, and maybe that's exactly how it should stay.
If you want to stay updated on what the original cast is actually doing, keep an eye on Michael J. Fox’s foundation work—he’s still the "Marty" we need, just in a different way. Check out the Still documentary on Apple TV+ if you haven't; it’s the closest thing to a "sequel" in terms of heart and legacy you'll ever get.