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©1995-99, To Be Continued...
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Writer denies knowledge of “BTTF4/5”
Terry Rossio publicly denounces involvement in sequel development
By now, many of you have read the reports yesterday on the Cinescape and Corona's Coming Atttractions websites that screenwriter Terry Rossio has denied any involvment in the rumored BTTF4/5 project. You can read Rossio's entire response on his official WordPlay website by following the link. A few follow-up responses have since been posted, even by partner Ted Elliott who also now denies any involvement. Naturally, I was on top of the sudden backfire quicker than a bolt of lightning to learn why the recent denials.
First of all, let me make it clear that I stand behind my earlier reports as well as my sources. However, I've said all along that time will tell how this thing develops, and that it could all fall apart at any minute. I've been told to expect some bumps along the way — we all know that valleys always follow hills. I understand that the pre-development phase is always a rough one for all movies, but especially for projects with high expectations. With all this in mind, my source didn't seem very surprised at the most recent report. They had the following comments for my inquiry yesterday:
"BTTF4/5 is in danger of losing ground, mainly because they have given Rossio and Elliott the Zorro 2 job. My guess is that Elliott and Rossio are seguing out of the project shortly (unbeknownst to any of us), leaving it open to whomever else Amblin brings on board. [BTTF4/5] may or may not ever see the light of day, but it'll largely depend on the writing situation. If it doesn't firm up in the next few weeks/months (i.e. if Rossio and Elliott do leave the project), if it doesn't officially get the blessing of Robert Zemeckis, etc., we'll be waiting a while longer for a feature film incarnation."
I've got dozens of reasons to believe that my sources are correct, and this little setback isn't enough to phase me. I know something's going on, and that all this is all just an elaborate attempt to throw us off the trail, throwing proverbial egg on my face along the way. And that's fine — I've waiting this long for a new film and haven't abandoned my hope after nine years — I'm not about to start now. A few anonymous callers earlier this week suspiciously quizzing me about what I know and where I'm getting my information from was enough to convince me that we've gotten accurate information. I'm reminded of something that my source told me over a month ago:
"The only thing I think will be a big problem for you in the weeks ahead will be confirming this information. Your readers (as you have already, I'm sure) will most likely begin the process of placing queries into our offices, Steven Spielberg's publicist, Zemeckis, Gale, Ted Elliott, etc., etc. Each of them will come up with a "no project is in the works," "my client has no knowledge of this project," and — most likely — Ted Elliott disclaiming any involvement with BTTF4/5. All in all, you'll come up with nothing to back it up aside from my promise and your faith in me. It's not an enviable position to be in, but — hey — we compromise for our interests, we don't compromise the interests themselves. Right?"
Hmmm. Draw your conclusions however you wish. Logic tells me that there's something to all of this. Regardless of so-called facts reported in two different issues of Total Film, that stuff didn't just pop out of thin air. There had to be some truth in there somewhere for it to be a valid news piece for them to report on. After years of no activity on the franchise whatsoever, we're suddenly looking at a new CD soundtrack, DVDs for all three movies, VHS re-release of the first film, a CD-ROM game, a Nintendo game, a new film for ...The Ride, and who knows what else is in the pipeline. Exciting, isn't it?
— Stephen Clark
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