In a definitive statement that will disappoint fans hoping for more adventures with Marty McFly and Doc Brown, Back to the Future screenwriter Bob Gale has reiterated that the beloved trilogy will not be expanded with sequels, prequels, or spinoffs. Speaking at Universal Fan Fest Nights, Gale expressed confusion over the persistent speculation about a fourth film, emphasizing that the story is complete as it is. 'It's just fine the way it is. It's not perfect, but as Bob Zemeckis used to say, 'It's perfect enough,'' Gale remarked, echoing sentiments he has shared in numerous interviews.
The Back to the Future series, which began in 1985, has become a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its innovative take on time travel, memorable characters, and heartfelt storytelling. Despite the current trend of reviving classic franchises, Gale and director Robert Zemeckis have remained steadfast in their decision to leave the trilogy untouched. This stance is supported by executive producer Steven Spielberg, who, according to Gale, respects their vision and has no intention of greenlighting additional projects.
Gale's comments come amid ongoing discussions in Hollywood about the potential for reviving iconic franchises, as seen with the success of Cobra Kai, a continuation of the Karate Kid series. However, Gale made it clear that Back to the Future is not up for reconsideration, joking about the extreme measures it would take to change his and Zemeckis's minds. The screenwriter's firm stance underscores a rare commitment to artistic integrity in an industry often driven by commercial interests.
For fans of the Back to the Future trilogy, Gale's words may serve as both a disappointment and a reassurance. While the door to new stories remains firmly closed, the original films continue to stand as a testament to the power of storytelling, untouched by the passage of time or the pressures of franchise expansion. As Gale succinctly put it, the series is 'perfect enough,' a sentiment that resonates with audiences who have cherished the adventures of Marty and Doc for nearly four decades.
A remarkable collection of scientific papers belonging to Alan Turing, the renowned Second World War codebreaker and pioneer of computer science, has been discovered in a loft and is set to be auctioned next month. The archive, which includes a signed personal copy of Turing's 1939 PhD dissertation 'Systems Of Logic Based On Ordinals' and his seminal 1937 paper 'On Computable Numbers', was nearly shredded before its historical significance was recognized.
The papers, described as the first programming manual of the computer age, were originally gifted to Turing's friend and fellow mathematician Norman Routledge by Turing's mother, Ethel. After Routledge's death in 2013, the documents were stored in a relative's loft, where they remained unnoticed until recently. The discovery was made when Routledge's nieces and nephews were sorting through his belongings and considered discarding the papers, unaware of their value.
Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire, which is handling the sale, has valued Turing's PhD dissertation alone at between £40,000 and £60,000. The collection also includes letters from novelist EM Forster and a telegram from Turing to Routledge, adding to its historical and academic significance. The papers, known as 'offprints', were produced in limited quantities for academic circles, making them rare finds in today's market.
Alan Turing's contributions to computer science and his role in breaking the Enigma code during the Second World War have cemented his legacy as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. The upcoming auction offers a unique opportunity for collectors and institutions to own a piece of this legacy, shedding light on the personal and professional life of a man whose work continues to impact the world today.