Recently resurfaced footage from the Back to the Future Ultimate Trilogy edition has thrilled film fans by revealing Ben Stiller’s audition for the iconic role of Marty McFly, highlighting the wide pool of talent considered before Michael J. Fox became synonymous with the character. The Ben Stiller Marty McFly audition footage, along with tapes of other young stars, offers an entertaining glimpse into what might have been during the casting process in the 1980s.
Rare Audition Shines Light on Ben Stiller’s Early Talent
Fans and film enthusiasts have always associated Ben Stiller with memorable comedic performances such as Ted in There’s Something About Mary, Greg Focker in Meet the Parents, and Derek Zoolander in Zoolander. However, many were surprised to discover that Stiller, at around 19 years old, was among the promising actors vying for the Marty McFly role. The recently uncovered audition tape, part of the classic franchise’s special edition release, showcases Stiller’s fresh take on the character alongside other hopefuls like Jon Cryer, C. Thomas Howell, and Billy Zane.
Stiller’s performance, though brief, captures a pivotal Back to the Future moment in which Marty, transported to 1955, grapples with interactions with his young mother Lorraine. Asked about his parents, Stiller, in character as Marty, replies to Lorraine,
Lorraine, lately I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t know anything about my parents.
—Stiller as Marty McFly
This audition exchange highlights Marty’s confusion on encountering his parents’ younger selves and showcases Stiller’s ability to embody both vulnerability and nervousness. The subtle comedic neurosis, already evident at this early stage in Stiller’s career, aligns with qualities he would later bring to his most successful roles. His sincerity and comedic timing stand out even in just a short reading, delighting fans who can now imagine a very different version of Marty McFly.
Why the Part Ultimately Went to Michael J. Fox
Despite his natural instincts in the audition, Ben Stiller did not secure the defining role of Marty McFly. The casting saga is well-documented, with Michael J. Fox planned as the first choice by directors Robert Zemeckis and producer Bob Gale. However, Fox’s television schedule filming Family Ties forced the team to initially cast Eric Stoltz, coming off his performance in Peter Bogdanovich’s Mask. Stoltz approached Marty with a dramatic edge that, as covered in Caseen Gaines’s book
“We Don’t Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy,”
was deemed unsuitable for the script’s lighter, comedic tone.
With Stoltz unable to deliver the filmmakers’ desired style, the production made the risky and ultimately triumphant decision to pivot back to Fox in early 1985. Fox’s blend of charisma, humor, and relatable awkwardness captured the spirit of Marty perfectly, leading to a worldwide blockbuster and one of the most beloved characters of the era. Although Stiller could not align his unique energy with the filmmakers’ vision for Marty, that audition was an early signpost for the eponymous comedic style he would eventually bring to hits like There’s Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and the Academy Award-nominated Tropic Thunder, which he also co-wrote and directed.
Both Fox and Stiller found enduring Hollywood success, forging careers defined by memorable characters and comedic brilliance. The emergence of Stiller’s audition tape is a reminder not only of Hollywood’s unpredictable casting but also of the remarkable talent pool from which classics like Back to the Future were born.
Imagining a World Where Ben Stiller Was Marty
The rediscovered Stiller audition invites fans to reflect on what the film might have been like if Ben Stiller had played Marty McFly. This glimpse at alternative casting brings out the speculative spirit of the Back to the Future series itself, where a small change in the past can ripple outward, creating new realities. Stiller’s proven capacity for sharp comedic delivery and heartfelt moments suggests his interpretation of Marty may have created a different, yet equally entertaining, version of the character.
Speculation aside, the audition tape showcases the significance of Back to the Future as a magnet for young, ambitious talent. The fact that Jon Cryer, C. Thomas Howell, Billy Zane, and Stiller all pursued the part demonstrates how much potential the industry saw in the project, even before Universal Pictures and the creative team had a finished film in hand. Steven Spielberg’s involvement as executive producer, combined with Robert Zemeckis’s direction, made the opportunity irresistible for rising stars.
For fans of the original cast, it’s clear that Michael J. Fox’s chemistry with Christopher Lloyd, who played Doc Brown, was irreplaceable, giving the franchise its enduring pop culture legacy. Still, the “what if” scenario remains a fascinating conversation—imagining how the dynamic between Marty and Doc Brown could have shifted, or if certain key scenes would have played out differently in a parallel cinematic timeline.
While Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly remains an untouchable classic, Ben Stiller’s screen test now adds a delightful footnote to film history. Fans curious to revisit the actual franchise can find Back to the Future available to stream on Netflix in the United States.
