Tag Archives: Back to the Future

Happy Back to the Future Day!

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Great Scott, we made it! In Back to the Future Part II, Doc Brown and Marty McFly travel to the future, specifically October 21, 2015. And that day is today! No, we don’t have flying cars, but the Cubs are in the playoffs and Biff is running for president! To celebrate this special occasion, check out this BTTF reunion staged by Jimmy Kimmel. Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox return in character for a fun, 10-minute conversation about the present future they arrive in, via Delorean DMC-12, of course. Then, jump after the break to watch Lloyd as Doc once more in a special announcement hyping the Blu-ray trilogy.

In other BTTF news, Nike has announced a followup to its Nike Mag sneaker. Unlike its predecessor, the 2015 Nike Mag will, in fact, feature power laces that lace themselves, just like they do in the movie. As we near the end of 2015, more details are bound to surface so stick it here for when that happens.

Great Scott! LEGO is coming out with a Back to the Future set

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Dreams do come true. That’s right, LEGO is planning to release a Back to the Future set inspired by the classic 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The set found its feet in LEGO’s CUUSOO initiative. Besides creating their own original sets, LEGO accepts ideas from designers who think they can come up with the next best LEGO-based product. The BTTF set was one of four ideas uploaded to LEGO’s site; from there people could browse the prototypes and vote for their favorite one. After gaining 10,000 supporters, LEGO reviewed and considered it to become the next CUUSOO set to be sold in retail. Imagined by designers m.togami* and Sakuretsu (collectively known as Team BTTF), the Back to the Future Time Machine won and here is LEGO’s exciting announcement:

After analyzing the supporters of the Back to the Future project, we learned that this product has a broad, worldwide appeal. The model presented in this project is built very closely to the LEGO Group’s design standards and has therefore provided a strong base to design the final product. It has a high play value and it fits well with supporters’ price expectations.

For these reasons, the Back to the Future project has passed the LEGO Review, and has been selected for production as the next LEGO CUUSOO set. The final product, pricing, and release dates are still being determined.

To explore the other contenders in this round’s CUUSOO competition and to learn more about LEGO’s review process, click over to the company’s blog post. I’ve added some images of the prototype BTTF set in the gallery below; browse Team BTTF’s CUUSOO site to read more about their idea and to see more pictures. Keep in mind the final product may not look exactly like what you see here, but LEGO is working with the idea’s inventors so it’s OK to get a little giddy if you want. Video announcement after the break.

Though it may not be able to hit 88MPH, a LEGO Back to the Future Time Machine set is just what the Doc ordered.

Continue reading Great Scott! LEGO is coming out with a Back to the Future set →

‘Back to the Future’ might find new life on the Broadway stage

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Take a deep breath, this is heavy. The classic 1980s trilogy Back to the Future might be revisited, not on the silver screen but on Broadway! According to Deadline, Robert Zemeckis–director of all three Back to the Future films–is in “early talks” with his BTTF co-writer Bob Gale and the film’s talented composer Alan Silvestri. If it all comes together, Zemeckis’ production company ImageMovers will be involved. The three movies have grossed almost $1 billion worldwide, and so a plan to tap back into the franchise’s success shouldn’t come as a total shock. The recent Blu-ray release and Nike’s sneaker auction justifiably injected hype and excitement into the acclaimed sci-fi saga. I hope you’re with me when I say that a stage adaptation of Back to the Future is a tantalizing prospect worth salivating over.

[Via Deadline]

2011 Nike Mag auction begins, Christopher Lloyd returns in “Back For The Future” (video)

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That last post detailing the launch of the 2011 Nike Mag Back to the Future sneaker is filling to the brim, so I’ve decided to make a new landing for all the latest on the greatest shoe never made (until now, that is).

The auction kicked off September 8 at 8:30PM PST and it will last for ten days. Every day 150 pairs of the sneaker will be made available at eBay. Here’s a link to the Nike Mag-eBay portal. There you’ll be able to view and bid on the shoes, ranging in size from 7 to 13. After a quick glance, most of the shoes currently hover around the $2,500 price point. But don’t let those early tallies fool you; British rapper Tinie Tempah won the first Mag on-site at the Nike launch event with a winning bid of $37,500, and bids on eBay have reportedly reached the $75,000 mark. So unless you’re willing to drop thousands for the shoe from the future, pass your time by drifting your eyes to the next paragraph.

Last night Michael J. Fox appeared on the David Letterman to detail the shoe and it’s release. After showing it off, he announced that Google founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki have offered to match all donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation up to $50 million through the end of 2012. So even though you sit there in frustration knowing that owning the Mag is a pipe dream, you can rest assured that all of the money exchanged over the course of the 10-day auction is going to a great cause. If you’re itching to donate to Parkinson’s research in other ways, visit www.michaeljfox.org. Watch Fox’s Letterman appearance after the break.

And finally, the last topic that must be discussed is the marketing campaign behind the Mag release. Check it:

When the original Back to the Future creative team learned of Nike’s desire to support Fox’s foundation with the release of the 2011 NIKE MAG shoes, Executive Producer Frank Marshall joined the effort. A concept was hatched to develop a ‘Lost Scene’ to honor the original Back to the Future films and characters, capturing Doc Brown’s efforts to make Marty ‘fit in’ during his visit to 2015. [via Nike]

And so Back For The Future was born. BTTF executive producer Frank Marshall directed the short film and Robert Zemeckis (helmer of the trilogy) came back to EP. Also returning is the mad scientist himself–Christopher Lloyd as Doc Emmett Brown and Donald Fullilove as salesman Goldie Wilson III. SNL castmember Bill Hader and basketball star Kevin Durant also star in the video embedded after the break. Below, find even more stills of the glorious Mag.

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Continue reading 2011 Nike Mag auction begins, Christopher Lloyd returns in “Back For The Future” (video) →

Great Scott! Nike hints at Air Mag ‘Back to the Future’ sneaker release! [Update: Launch info]

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Back to the Future fans and sneakerheads, listen here. Nike is about to drop some major news: the Air Mag sneaker, as featured and worn by Marty McFly in Back to the Future Part II, is set to slip into reality. The glowing, auto-lacing sneaker from the future will hit the market today (well maybe not precisely today, but you know what I mean).

So here’s the relatively short story. Ever since these shoes made an appearance in the movie, BBTF buffs and sneaker collectors alike have been praying for this very day to come. In May 2009 Nike filed a patent describing “an article of footwear with an automatic lacing system.” Late last night Nike sent out urgent invitations inviting guests to attend a product unveiling. The invitation was in the form of a black box and enclosed was an iPod shuffle and a written invitation. The audible notice was a personal message from Dr. Emmett Brown stating, “Welcome to Los Angeles. If my calculations are correct, over the next 24 hours you are about to see some SERIOUS SH*T!” The card said, “IT’S ABOUT TIME. Tinker Hatfield, VP of Design and Innovation at Nike, cordially invites you to an unveiling that could change the course of time.” Other BTTF related goodies came inside, including a sleek pair of metal shield glasses.

And that brings us to right now. Moments ago a teaser video was uploaded to YouTube by one DocEmmettBrown88 glimpsing us inside “McFly’s Closet.” This sneaker is real people, and it’s coming soon. Park here, and as soon as official word comes from Nike following the announcement event I’ll update this post and splay all the release and pricing details for you. While you’re waiting, drool in anticipation by replaying the teaser above  (now after the break) and then jump after the break to watch the Air Mag in action, circa 2015.

Update: Here’s the official launch info straight from Nike: “1500 pairs of the 2011 NIKE MAG will be auctioned on eBay with all net proceeds going directly to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Each day for the duration of the ten-day auction, one hundred and fifty pairs of the 2011 NIKE MAG shoes will be made available via eBay’s Fashion Vault. The auction starts September 8, 8:30PM PST, and will end September 18. Thanks to a previous 50 million dollar match given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, all donations will be matched, effectively doubling the contributions from the auction.”

Nike goes on to describe the shoe’s aesthetic: “The first rechargeable footwear from Nike, the 2011 NIKE MAG shoes were designed to be precise replicas of the originals from Back to the Future II. The aesthetic is an exact match, down to the contours of the upper, the glowing LED panel and the electroluminescent NIKE in the strap. The only deviation from the original is additional foam support in the ankle and toe box for increased comfort. The 2011 NIKE MAG illuminates with the pinch of the “ear” of the high top, glowing for five hours per charge.” Not a single word about the auto-lacing feature. Bummer!

Nike CEO Mark Parker said this at the launch event: “We wanted to translate the excitement people have for the ‘greatest shoe never made’ and for the Back to the Future into positive action. But the long term objective is to raise awareness so the Foundation can achieve their goal of eradicating Parkinson’s disease.” Fox, the actor who played Marty McFly back in 1989, added: “This project is exciting to me because it brings together three very passionate audiences: the Parkinson’s community, the sneakerheads and Back to the Future fans. With their support we can accelerate our objective of finding a cure for Parkinson’s.” He is the featured guest on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight on CBS; he’s expected to detail the Air Mag during his interview.

An astute Nice Kicks commenter posted, “Shitttt. You cant camp outside of eBay!” That’s right–this item is certainly going to be a hot commodity when it hits the auction site and it’ll be extremely hard to get if you’re not extremely rich. At least all the money is going to a great cause. Ah well, a boy can still dream of a future where everyone sports super cool auto-lacing sneaks. Perhaps that day will come when it’s supposed to–in 2015. Get a closer look at the shoe in the gallery below, and after the break you’ll a find a third related video.

[Via NiceKicks 1, 2, 3; Nike] Continue reading Great Scott! Nike hints at Air Mag ‘Back to the Future’ sneaker release! [Update: Launch info] →

Doc Brown explains the Zelda timeline in mind-bending fashion

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Have you ever tried to piece together every legend of Zelda? Link has been on so many quests spanning the original Legend of Zelda (1986) to the upcoming Skyward Sword (due out later this year). Doc Brown, time travel extraordinaire, is here to help us make sense of it all in this fan-made short film. 4th dimensional thinking required.

*Note: You might want to skip to about a minute in because that’s where the mind-bending fun begins. Also worthy of note, how amazing is Link’s Marty McFly impression!?

[Via Kotaku]

Back to the Future III: What’s that Verne?

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OK this is really creeping me out.  Remember at the end of Back to the Future III when Doc Brown introduces his children to Marty and Jennifer.  During this scene little Verne does something a bit odd.  At first you think he’s hinting to Jennifer to climb on board the train.  But if you look closely… WTF?

*It’s been confirmed that this actually happens in the movie.  The scene has not been altered for YouTube.  How could I miss this the first and even second time around?

[Via @michaelgs; FuriousFanboys]

Back to the Future celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Blu-ray release

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On October 26 the unforgettable Back to the Future trilogy will release on Blu-ray (for the very first time) and DVD.  Though pricing details have not been disclosed, Hollywood News has picked up on the loads of bonus material.  They include 16 deleted scenes, a six-part retrospective documentary with interviews by Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, director Robert Zemeckis, and making-of and archival featurettes.  So if you happen to be a long-time BTTF fan, you’re gonna want to get this. Continue reading Back to the Future celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Blu-ray release →

Most realistic DeLorean is up for grabs on eBay

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I’m sure you are all familiar with the DeLorean of Back to the Future fame.  BTTF enthusiast Gary Weaver has built the most realistic recreation of the time-machine car with a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12.  Six years of research results in what you see in the gallery below.  (Fun fact: The location where this photo shoot was taken place is at the Gamble House in Pasadena, the very house that served as Doc Brown’s residence.)

  • Built on a beautiful, super-clean, stock 1981 5-speed DMC-12 with over $16,000 of mechanical work and upgrades performed at DMC California in September of 2008. Approx. 78K miles on vehicle.
  • Programmable time circuits which function just like those in the film.
  • Functioning digital speedometer on the dashboard (reads actual vehicle speed).
  • Main Time Circuit switch functions just like in the film, with all sound effects.
  • All interior indicators and switches light up, just like in the film.
  • Sound effects upon door opening.
  • Screen-accurate “OUTATIME” metal-stamped license plate with 1986 registration tag.
  • Eagle Goodyear GT tires, as seen in the film (not pictured).

It’s up for grabs on eBay right now.  You can “buy it now” for 90K; or the current bid stands at $60, 301.03 (there’s been ten bids placed on it).  The auction ends in about two hours!

[Via Jalopnik; Gizmodo]