The Back to the Future movies premiered in 1985, and in the nearly forty years since it’s remained a cultural touchstone that people want to see remade with a fresh new actor playing Marty McFly. Many fan casts of the remake include Tom Holland, best known for his role as Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man movies. However, Holland has his own prominent franchise, so spreading him across both Marvel and a new Back to the Future would be a disservice to both movies. Instead, a young up-and-coming performer should get the chance to make their name as Marty.

Anyone who steps into the role would have big shoes to fill as Michael J. Fox is an iconic casting choice for Marty. Back to the Future is one of the best time travel movies, and is familiar to audiences of all generations. This means that whoever is the new Marty would have to be true to the character while developing an original persona that helps them stand out. A new Back to the Future would have the opportunity to update some of the dated aspects of the film and allow a nostalgic revisiting of the 1990s through the story.

10

Caleb McLaughlin

Best known for Stranger Things (2016–Present); Shooting Stars (2023)

Audiences have had the opportunity to see Caleb McLaughlin and the cast of Stranger Things blossom from child actors into young adults entering the world of filmmaking. Though Stranger Things is a prominent franchise to be attached to, it’s within the realm of television, which primes McLaughlin to break out into further roles in features as his career progresses. Most recently, he’s branched out with Shooting Stars and Concrete Cowboy. In both films, McLaughlin stepped into roles dissimilar from his character in Stranger Things and made them his own.

Playing Marty, McLaughlin would shine as he’s capable of both the charisma and the endearing awkwardness that Marty is characterized by. Since Stranger Things is a period piece set in the 1980s, McLaughlin is already familiar with costuming and dialogue from different parts of history, and he could play off this knowledge in the moments when Marty travels back to the past. Additionally, he has strong chemistry with older actors, as seen in Concrete Cowboy when he co-starred with Idris Elba. This is important for Back to the Future, as Marty and Doc’s relationship is central to the story.

9

Jack Dylan Grazer

Best known for Shazam! (2019); We Are Who We Are (2020)

Though Jack Dylan Grazer plays the protagonist’s best friend, Freddy, in Shazam!, he has all the makings of a leading man and could prove that as Marty in Back to the Future. Though his biggest role in We Are Who We Are lasted only one season, the HBO drama from Luca Guadagnino allowed Grazer to explore darker and deeper subjects than in the Shazam! movies. Despite this, both roles have had a significant impact on his career, as well as the voice acting he’s done in Luca and Ron’s Gone Wrong.

Having a distinct and well-trained voice is key for any actor, and would be pivotal for a new face playing Marty as Fox’s speaking voice is as synonymous with the character. After the critical and box office disappointment of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, audiences will likely be waiting a long time for updates on Shazam 3, but, if anything, this is good for Grazer’s career as it will allow him to explore other options. Branching out from DC and films that skew toward younger audiences will let filmmakers see Grazer as an adult in the field.

8

Noah Jupe

Best known for Honey Boy (2019); Franklin (2024)

In addition to his major roles in Honey Boy and Franklin, Noah Jupe was one of the young children in A Quiet Place. He’s received acclaim for many of his roles thus far. While he did an excellent job for someone so young in A Quiet Place, as the protagonist in Honey Boy, he took on a huge amount of responsibility portraying the effects of fame and family responsibility on a child star. As a child actor himself, Jupe has grown up in the spotlight, but he hasn’t aged out of traditional adolescent roles quite yet.

Stepping into Franklin to play William Temple Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s grandson, was a huge opportunity for Jupe, as it’s one of the most mature performances he’s given. Getting into mischief and making himself at home in the French court is reminiscent of the journey Marty goes through to fit into the 1980s. Giving Jupe the chance to take on a performance that’s less serious that would allow him to have fun and test his comedic talents is exactly what he needs after being tied to many intense and dramatic narratives.

7

Archie Madekwe

Best known for Saltburn (2023); Gran Turismo (2023)

The past few years have been great for Archie Madekwe as he was in one of the most talked about movies of 2023. Though Saltburn had many plot holes and confusing elements, it quickly became internet-famous and generated a lot of online discourse. This was great news for Madekwe, as his character is one of the most straightforward and compelling in Saltburn, and the hype was used in conjunction with his other film, Gran Turismo, released only a few months earlier. Madekwe had a bigger role in Gran Turismo, but Saltburn exposed him to a different audience group.

Looking toward the future, Madekwe has almost aged out of playing high school roles, and will likely look to more serious dramatic work as his career moves forward. However, before that time comes, he would be an ideal choice for Marty. In Gran Turismo​​​​​, he was an underdog and had to overcome his fears to perform in a high-stakes competition, and much of Back to the Future is about finding inner bravery. Additionally, Gran Turismo prepared him for the action-oriented scenes in the story, as well as driving the famous DeLorean.

6

Walker Scobell

Best known for Percy Jack and the Olympians (2023–Present); The Adam Project (2022)

As one of the youngest actors on this list, Walker Scobell has a few years before he might be considered to play Marty McFly, but as there are a few reasons preventing a Back to the Future reboot, he’s got plenty of time. For now, Scobell is focused on playing the titular character, Percy, in the Disney+ adaptation of the beloved book series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Separating Scobell from his role as Percy might become more difficult as he ages, but this mirrors Fox’s journey playing Alex in Family Ties at the same time as playing Marty.

However, in terms of young actors that are most similar to Fox, Scobell is up there, as his boyish charm is something he brings to the character Percy, who has much in common with Marty. Although this is a strength, as Scobell is easy to imagine in the role, it also means that if he falls short of Fox’s performance, it could ruin the movie. Developing into a unique actor with his own style will be paramount in Scobell’s future in the industry, especially if he wants to work in the off-seasons of Percy Jackson.

5

David Iacono

Best known for The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–Present); Cinnamon (2023)

As Cam in the hit teen rom-com, The Summer I Turned Pretty, David Iacono cuts a sweet and sensitive figure, but he’s not given much to do. Cut out of the main love triangle, Cam is only in the first book in the trilogy the show is based on, but the TV series brought Iacono back because of what he adds to the show. This is a sense of relatability, grounding, and humor that the show can miss out on in its moments of melodrama. Additionally, Iacono had the opportunity to join a feature with Cinnamon, the recent crime thriller.

Outside this, Iacono briefly appeared in Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives, but all of these supporting roles are leading to something greater for the actor. He’s well-known for being the “nice guy” in all of the projects he works on, and while Marty isn’t by any means the archetypal bad boy, the role could be a good transition for Iacono into meaty and more morally ambiguous roles. Marty is kind and empathetic, two traits Iacono has in spades, but he also has an edge that would push Iacono out of his comfort zone.

4

Asante Blackk

Best known for Landscape with Invisible Hand (2023); Story Ave (2023)

Asante Blackk’s recent work in the sci-fi film, Landscape with Invisible Hand is similar in style, tone, and structure to Back to the Future in that its fantastical elements only better connect the audience and material. While one has aliens and the other has time travel, both are incredibly familiar to any audience member, and they’re united by the fact that they have a fantastic lead actor anchoring them. Blackk gained early recognition for his role in the miniseries When They See Us, and though he was quite young, his performance left a profound emotional impact on the viewer.

Recently, he collaborated with Luis Guzmán on Story Ave, illustrating how well he can play off an older actor. As he’s grown as an actor, Blackk has taken on projects in many genres, and while many of them have been dramatic, they all allowed him to show compassion and humor in his performances. Marty isn’t an overtly dramatic role and Back to the Future has more comedic elements than anything else. However, there is an essential story of human kindness and familial bonds at its heart. As Marty, Blackk could easily accomplish all aspects of the part.

3

Kit Connor

Best known for Heartstopper (2022–Present); Rocketman (2019)

Heartstopper season 3 is confirmed, and fans are excited to see the return of Kit Connor’s Nick and Joe Locke’s Charlie. The two actors have had amazing chemistry thus far and their relationship has been incredible LGBTQ+ representation for young audiences. Playing Nick has been the most high-profile role Connor has embarked on, but his smaller part in the Elton John biopic, Rocketman, indicates his talents don’t stop at high school romance. However, since audiences are used to seeing him in a school setting, casting him in Back to the Future wouldn’t be a leap.

Though Connor is under no obligation only to play LGBTQ+ characters, his previous roles and advocacy could create the opportunity to play with Marty’s sexuality in a Back to the Future reboot. Making these changes can sometimes spark tension with longtime fans, but the point of remaking a classic film is to make it representational of the people watching it today. Outside this, Connor would be a great choice for Marty regardless, as he has a genuineness that’s impossible to fake. As hard as Marty tries to act cool and tough, he cares deeply for his loved ones.

2

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai

Best known for Reservation Dogs (2021–2023); Only The Good Survive (2023)

Many fans were devastated when Reservation Dogs was canceled after just three seasons, but even in this short time, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and his castmates proved themselves to be the future of acting. Woon-A-Tai plays Bear Smallhill, a member of the friend group whose lives the series revolves around. He received particular recognition for his performance in the season 3 episode “Deer Lady,” in which he delivered a touching performance well beyond his years. One of his earlier projects, Beans, brought him attention, and there’s no doubt that he will continue making great films now that Reservation Dogs is over.

One recent addition to his filmography, Only the Good Survive, is more aligned with the thriller and mystery genres. While Reservation Dogs is billed as a comedy-drama, it interweaves elements of many genres across its three seasons, pushing each of its actors to explore their characters to the fullest extent. Woon-A-Tai has the confidence Marty finds by the end of the film, and the anxiety and thirst to prove himself. Though he’s well-known by many who’ve seen his work, taking on a blockbuster project would increase his notoriety.

1

Xolo Maridueña

Best known for Cobra Kai (2018–Present); Blue Beetle (2023)

In both Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, Xolo Maridueña has proven himself to be an up-and-coming action star who knows his way around stunts and fight choreography. Despite Blue Beetle not performing very well at the box office, this isn’t the fault of Maridueña, as his performance was as dedicated as what he brings to each season of Cobra Kai. Back to the Future doesn’t require too many action sequences, but casting Maridueña as Marty would create the opportunity for it to have more action elements, which would excite audiences.

Of all of DC’s latest films, Blue Beetle garnered a kinder critical reception than most, and this cannot be separated from Maridueña’s ability to connect with viewers and his fellow actors onscreen. Chemistry with costars is paramount, especially for a prominent reboot, and across his projects, Maridueña has demonstrated how his strong performances only elevate the work of others. This undeniable charisma is something that Marty needs, especially if a remake is going to be as strong as the original.