Editing Back to the Future (section)

===Casting===
[[File: Eric Stoltz-2009 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=portrait of Eric Stoltz|[[Eric Stoltz]] (pictured in 2009) was cast as Marty McFly and spent several weeks filming ''Back to the Future'' before the role was re-cast.]]

[[Michael J. Fox]] was the first choice to portray Marty McFly. Gale and Zemeckis believed his acting timing in the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[Family Ties]]'' (1982–1989) as the sophisticated [[Alex P. Keaton]] could be translated to Marty's clumsiness.<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /><ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview" /> Spielberg asked the show's producer [[Gary David Goldberg]] to have Fox read the script. Concerned Fox's absence would damage ''Family Ties''{{'}} success, especially with fellow star [[Meredith Baxter]] on [[Parental leave|maternity leave]], Goldberg did not give Fox the script.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=4–5}} Other young stars were considered, including: [[John Cusack]], [[C.&nbsp;Thomas Howell]], [[Johnny Depp]], [[Ralph Macchio]], [[Charlie Sheen]], [[Jon Cryer]], [[Ben Stiller]], [[Peter DeLuise]], [[Billy Zane]], [[George Newbern]], [[Robert Downey&nbsp;Jr.]], [[Christopher Collet]], [[Matthew Modine]], and [[Corey Hart (singer)|Corey Hart]] (who declined to audition).{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="Cryer" /><ref name="Gizmodo11things" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=18}}{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=2, 3}}{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=19}}<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="IndependentModine" />}} Howell was the frontrunner,{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=19}} but Sheinberg preferred [[Eric Stoltz]], who had impressed with his portrayal of [[Roy L. Dennis|Rocky Dennis]] in an early screening of the drama film ''[[Mask (1985 film)|Mask]]'' (1985).{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=20}}<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /> With the filming date approaching, Zemeckis opted for Stoltz.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=20}} Sheinberg promised that if Stoltz did not work out, they could reshoot the film.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> The character's name was derived from ''Used Cars'' production assistant Marty Casella. Zemeckis suggested McFly because it sounded "All-American".<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" />

Among others, [[Jeff Goldblum]], [[John Lithgow]], [[Dudley Moore]], [[Ron Silver]], [[Robin Williams]], [[John Cleese]], [[Mandy Patinkin]], [[Gene Hackman]], [[James Woods]], and [[Mark Mothersbaugh]]<!--DO NOT ADD MORE ACTORS WITHOUT FURTHER SOURCES, THE CASTING LIST IS A WIDE NET AND FOR FAIRNESS ONLY THOSE WITH TICKS ARE INCLUDED--> were considered for the role of Doc Brown.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="MentalFlossDocB" /><ref name="WrapMothers"/>}} Producer [[Neil Canton]] suggested Lithgow, having worked with him and [[Christopher Lloyd]] on ''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension|Buckaroo Banzai]]'' (1984). Lithgow was unavailable, and the role was offered to Lloyd. He was reluctant to join the production until a friend encouraged him to take the part.<ref name="ScreenRangDocB" /> [[Albert Einstein]] and conductor [[Leopold Stokowski]] inspired Lloyd's wild, white hair.<ref name="Seattle times" /> Lloyd affected a hunched posture to lower his {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} height closer to the {{convert|5|ft|5|in|m}} tall Fox.<ref name="VultureLostRoles" />

The filmmakers became aware of [[Lea Thompson]] while researching Stoltz in the comedy-drama ''[[The Wild Life (film)|The Wild Life]]'' (1984).<ref name="AVClubThompson" /> [[Crispin Glover]] used many of his own mannerisms in portraying George McFly. Gale described his performance as "nuts", and Zemeckis was reportedly unhappy with Glover's performance choices, instructing him to be more restrained as the older George.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="AVClubGlover" /> Glover lost his voice during filming and later dubbed in some lines.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /> DeLuise, Zane, [[Tim Robbins]], and [[J. J. Cohen]] were considered to play Biff Tannen.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="JJCohen" /><ref name="YahoOCast" /> Cohen was not considered intimidating enough against Stoltz, and the role went to [[Thomas F. Wilson|Thomas{{spaces}}F. Wilson]], his first feature starring role.<ref name="VultureStoltz" /><ref name="JJCohen2" /> Zane and Cohen were cast as Biff's minions Match and Skinhead instead.<ref name="JJCohen" /><ref name="USATodayThings" /> Tannen's name was taken from Universal Studios executive [[Ned Tanen]], who had been unpleasant with Gale and Zemeckis.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" />

[[Melora Hardin]] was cast as Jennifer Parker on a two-film contract. After Stoltz's replacement, the crew were polled about Hardin being taller than Fox; the female crew overwhelmingly voted Marty should not be shorter than his girlfriend.<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="WiredHardin" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=42–43}} Hardin was replaced by [[Claudia Wells]], who had previously declined the role because of her commitment to the short-lived television series ''[[Off the Rack]]'' (1984).<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="WiredHardin" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=43}} Actresses [[Kyra Sedgwick]] and [[Jill Schoelen]] were also considered; Schoelen was told she looked too "exotic" and not sufficiently All-American.<ref name="FangoriaSchoelen" /><ref name="PeopleSedgwick" /> Doc Brown's pet, a dog named Einstein, was originally scripted as a [[chimpanzee]] named Shemp. Sheinberg insisted films featuring chimps never did well.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="Gizmodo11things" /> [[James Tolkan]] was the first choice for Principal Strickland after Zemeckis saw him in the crime drama ''[[Prince of the City]]'' (1981).{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=84, 85}} Singer and soundtrack contributor [[Huey Lewis]] cameos as a Battle of the Bands judge. Lewis agreed to appear as long as he was uncredited and could wear a disguise.<ref name="USATodayLewis" /> Gale cameos as the hand in the radiation suit tapping the DeLorean time display.<ref name="THRGaleCameo" />