Back to the Future and Mercury Retrograde

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Jul 18, 2025

Discover how the iconic film 'Back to the Future' faced tumultuous challenges during Mercury retrograde. The production saw delays and a shocking recasting of the lead role, originally against the comedic vision of the filmmakers. As filmmakers navigated these obstacles, they ultimately brought Michael J. Fox back and created a timeless classic. Dive into the astrological lessons learned from this cinematic journey and how personal experiences with Mercury retrograde connect with the stories we love.

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ANECDOTE

Legendary Mercury Retrograde Filming

The filming of Back to the Future began late November 1984 with Eric Stoltz as the lead during Mercury retrograde.
Stoltz's serious acting clashed with the comedic vision, leading to a rare mid-production recast.

ANECDOTE

Michael J. Fox Joins Mid-Filming

After firing Eric Stoltz, Back to the Future brought in Michael J. Fox who had been the original choice.
Fox shot scenes both for film and his TV show with exhausting hours, ultimately nailing the film's comedic tone.

INSIGHT

Retrograde Do-Overs Improve Outcomes

Mercury retrograde often causes delays and the need to redo things, but the second attempt usually improves with gained experience.
The second take in Back to the Future succeeded by reverting to the original actor, delivering the intended tone.

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In episode 498 I discuss how the filming of the movie Back to the Future started during a Mercury retrograde period, and the production experienced notorious delays, including firing the lead actor after 6 weeks of filming. By examining the challenges and ultimate success of the film, we can gain a deeper understanding of what Mercury retrograde truly means in astrology. The story begins with the filmmakers, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, who, after years of developing the script, had their hearts set on Michael J. Fox for the lead role of Marty McFly. When Fox was unavailable, they moved forward with another actor, Eric Stoltz. Filming commenced in late November 1984, precisely as Mercury was slowing down to station retrograde. Mercury retrogrades are often associated with delays, revisions, and the need to redo things. The initial weeks of filming with Stoltz proved to be a prime example of these themes, as his more serious interpretation of the role clashed with the comedic vision of the filmmakers. This led to the difficult and highly unusual decision to recast the lead role in the middle of production. The story of Back to the Future's creation, with its delays and necessary do-overs, serves as a powerful real-world example of Mercury retrograde in action, teaching us that sometimes we must go back to the past to correct our course in order to create a better future. Join me as I break down the astrological timeline of these events and discuss the broader lessons we can learn about navigating our own Mercury retrograde periods. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction: Back to the Future & Mercury Retrograde 00:00:28 - What Mercury Retrograde Means in Astrology 00:00:52 - The Movie's Origin Story 00:02:11 - The Failed Attempt to Cast Michael J. Fox 00:03:40 - Eric Stoltz is Cast as Marty McFly 00:04:36 - The Astrology of When Filming Began 00:07:23 - Filming with Eric Stoltz Isn't Working 00:09:20 - The Fateful Decision to Recast the Lead 00:09:51 - Approaching Michael J. Fox During Christmas 00:11:47 - The Astrology Chart of the Recasting 00:13:20 - Michael J. Fox's Birth Chart Transits 00:16:15 - Stoltz is Fired, Fox Starts Filming 00:19:03 - Michael J. Fox's Grueling Filming Schedule 00:23:36 - Production Delays & Eventual Success 00:25:30 - Key Lessons About Mercury Retrograde 00:28:27 - The Venus Retrograde Connection to Star Wars 00:33:23 - The Lasting Impact on the Actors 00:34:54 - 40th Anniversary Repeats the Astrology of 1985 00:37:37 - Final Conclusions Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mXmW1AhfEg – Transcript A full transcript of this episode is available: Episode 498 transcript Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3: