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Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox reunites with James Tolkan to recreate an iconic scene 40 years later. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the hit 1985 sci-fi adventure story stars Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who accidentally travels 30 years back in time and becomes entwined in the lives of his young parents. The film, which was a major hit, features a number of memorable scenes and moments, including one in which McFly is scolded and called a slacker by his principal, Mr. Strickland (Tolkan), after arriving late for class.
Fox and Tolkan now reunite to recreate this scene in a new image shared by FAN EXPO New Orleans on January 11, 2025. The mini Back to the Future reunion image features Tolkan, 93, pointing his finger at Fox, 63, in a scolding manner as the two sit side-by-side, a callback to their encounter within the halls of Hill Valley High School. Check out the image below:
"Slackers never change and Mr. Strickland will be sure to remind you," the caption reads. "Michael J. Fox and James Tolkan reunited at [FAN EXPO New Orleans] today and it was just like old times."
Tolkan appeared in the second and third Back to the Future films as variations of Mr. Strickland.
What The Back To The Future Reunion Image Means
The Cast Has Reunited On A Number Of Occasions
Zemeckis' movie career has been filled with highs and lows, with arguably more lows in recent years. Back to the Future, however, remains a major bright spot in his filmography, and it still stands as a true 1980s classic. The movie enjoys a strong 93% critics' score and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, speaking to just how beloved it remains today. Back to the Future was such a success that it ultimately birthed two sequels, both of which featured Fox returning as McFly.
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For Fox, Back to the Future is, without question, his most iconic movie. Fox is now retired from acting as a result of his Parkinson's disease, but he continues to appear regularly at fan events. Most of the core Back to the Future cast reunited, for example, in early 2024 at Megacon, and Fox and Doc Brown actor Christopher Lloyd reunited in 2022 at New York Comic Con.
Our Take On Fox's Back To The Future Reunion With Tolkan
The 1985 Classic Remains Beloved
Back to the Future may now be 40 years old, but it's clear that love for the movie remains. Fox makes for the perfect McFly, and it's a testament to his acting talent and charisma that Fox remains such a hit at fan events. Even though Tolkan's role as Mr. Strickland is relatively minor in the grand scheme of the film, his interactions with McFly still stand out as some of Back to the Future's more memorable scenes, and it's heartwarming to see him reunited with Fox all these years later.
Source: @fanexponeworleans
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Back to the Future follows teenager Marty McFly as he is inadvertently sent back to 1955, where he disrupts his parents' meeting. With the assistance of eccentric inventor Doc Brown, Marty must restore the timeline by ensuring his parents fall in love and find a way back to 1985.
Release Date July 3, 1985
Runtime 116 minutes
Main Genre Sci-Fi
Franchise(s) Back to the Future
Character(s) Marty McFly , Emmett Brown , George McFly , Lorraine Baines , Jennifer Parker , Biff Tannen , Dave McFly , Linda McFly , Sam Baines , Stella Baines , Match , Skinhead , 3-D , Mr. Strickland , Marvin Berry , Goldie Wilson , Babs , Betty , Clocktower Lady , Pa Peabody , Ma Peabody , Sherman Peabody , Peabody Daughter , Milton Baines , Sally Baines
Director Robert Zemeckis
Producers Bob Gale , Frank Marshall , Kathleen Kennedy , Neil Canton
Writers Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale
Budget $19 million
Studio(s) Universal Pictures
Distributor(s) Universal Pictures
English (US) ·