Elisabeth Shue took over the role of Marty'south girlfriend Jennifer in the Back to the Future sequels, and here's why that determination was made. In the outset Robert Zemeckis picture show, he brought together a talented bandage that included Michael J. Fox every bit Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd equally Dr. Emmett Brownish, with Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover equally Marty's parents. ButBack to the Futurity also had Claudia Wells play the function of Marty's girlfriend, Jennifer.

Undoubtedly Wells' biggest role in her career, her time playing Jennifer was cut short as a not-so-rare case of recasting happened. Wells was replaced by Elisabeth Shue inBack to the Hereafter II, a move that many may not have noticed equally the sequel reshot the ending of the first motion picture with Shue to serve as its opening. At the time, Shue was a rise star afterwards roles inThe Karate Kid,Adventures in Babysitting, andCocktail.

So did Zemeckis choose to recast the role of Jennifer but to get a bigger star like Shue involved? No, and the reason behind the recasting didn't have any drama behind it either. The truth is really much sadder. When it came fourth dimension for theBack to the Future sequels to begin, Wells had to drib out of the role to take intendance of her female parent. Wells' mom had recently been diagnosed with cancer and she decided to be with her instead of returning toBack to the Hereafter.

Even though Wells' time every bit Jennifer was cut curt, she near didn't go a chance to play the character at all. After being initially bandage in the role, she was forced to drop out after a pilot for a new show on ABC was picked upwardly for a full series. Melora Hardin was set to play the part instead, but Wells was able to return to the project only later on some other recasting occurred. Famously,Dorsum to the Time to come originally starred Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly, only he was dismissed from the role subsequently five weeks of filming. Once the conclusion was made for Michael J. Flim-flam to take over the part, Wells was freed up to play Jennifer every bit originally intended.

Although tragic circumstances led to Wells having to walk away from theDorsum to the Future franchise again, she has had the opportunity to return to the part in the years since. Telltale Games madeBack to the Time to come into a video game in 2011 and had Wells vocalism Jennifer for a few episodes. She besides reprised her role every bit an adult Jennifer in aBack to the 2015 Future short film. While pocket-sized parts, at least these opportunities gave Wells a chance to play her Back to the Future  grapheme a couple more times.

More than: Doc Browns Saves The Globe Isn't Back to the Future four (But It'south Keen)

Sylvester Stallone'south Superhero Alter Ego Returns In Samaritan Pic Images

Virtually The Author

Cooper Hood (5905 Articles Published)

Cooper Hood is a news and characteristic writer for Screen Rant. He joined Screen Rant in late 2016 following a twelvemonth-long stint with MCU Exchange, which came afterwards kickoff developing an MCU weblog of his own. He graduated from college in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Media & Public Advice, with a modest in Media Product. Cooper's dearest for movies began by watching Toy Story and Panthera leo Male monarch on repeat as a child, but information technology wasn't until The Avengers that he took an invested interest in movies and the filmmaking process, leading him to detect the world of flick journalism. Every yr Cooper looks forward to seeing the latest blockbusters from the likes of Curiosity, DC, and Star Wars, merely besides loves the rush to catch up on Oscar films most the finish of the year. When he isn't writing about or watching new releases, Cooper is a fantasy football obsessive and looking to expand his Blu-Ray collection – because concrete media is still king! Follow Cooper on Twitter @MovieCooper.

More From Cooper Hood