Michael J. Fox Finally Addresses Infamous Back to the Future Mistake Fans Still Obsess Over

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Forty years after the release of the classic film, fans are still fixated on a small error they spotted.

In his new memoir, *Future Boy*, details the making of the 1985 sci-fi film, and its star frequently stops to express his appreciation for the movie’s dedicated fans. However, the actor explains that intense scrutiny – with people watching the film repeatedly – inevitably leads to the discovery and overanalysis of even minor errors.

Fans are particularly bothered by the scene where Marty McFly plays “Earth Angel” and “Johnny B. Goode” at the 1955 prom after the band’s guitarist is hurt. According to Michael J. Fox, Marty uses a Gibson ES-345 guitar borrowed from Marvin Berry to play “Johnny B. Goode,” but this guitar model wasn’t actually released until 1958 – three years after the time period depicted in the film.

The actor acknowledged a mistake with a prop that fans, especially those very familiar with the film, have repeatedly noticed. Fox explained that while it’s a minor detail, many dedicated fans continue to point it out, carefully analyzing every aspect of the movie’s timeline.

Die Hard Fans Believed Back to the Future Had A Hidden Message

Despite dedicated fans looking for a deeper reason behind the guitar choice, Fox insists there’s a simple explanation. The film’s designers chose the ES-345 model because it reminded them of the famous wine-red guitar Chuck Berry played during his energetic performances.

The slightly incorrect prop didn’t bother the actor. He explained, “Both the 1955 and 1958 Gibson guitars are rare and beautiful. Honestly, it didn’t matter to me which one I used. I’ve always loved the Gibson E series – they’re large, impressive guitars, but also hollow-bodied and surprisingly lightweight. Even someone my size could easily play them and get a great sound.”

When discussing his book, Fox remembered working on *Family Ties* during the day and then quickly heading to the set. He explained that a key to success in filmmaking is having a shared understanding and communication style, but he didn’t have time for that. He had to jump right in and trust his instincts would align with the existing work. It was a pressure-filled situation, and he simply wanted to deliver a good performance.

Future Boy by Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry is available everywhere that books are sold.

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2025-10-16 18:06