How Doc Brown’s Iconic Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine Changed in Development

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As a lifelong fan of Back to the Future, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate behind-the-scenes story of the DeLorean time machine. The car that took Marty McFly on his thrilling adventures through time was not just any ordinary vehicle; it was a labor of love by some of the most talented artists in Hollywood.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but reflect on my role in sending Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) back to 1955, which felt more like a communal effort than a solo endeavor. Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with SYFY WIRE over Zoom, where I reminisced about the collaborative creative process that ultimately led to the design of the iconic DeLorean time machine in Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s timeless sci-fi masterpiece (the entire trilogy is now available for streaming on Peacock).

It’s common knowledge that the time machine initially started as a refrigerator before being transformed into a car. However, what other types of vehicles were contemplated after this transformation took place? Probert stated, “It was always a DeLorean.” Yet, Gale had to turn down proposals from significant auto companies who sought to be part of a Steven Spielberg-produced blockbuster.

In the studio, there was an individual managing product placements for the film. He approached Bob with an offer from Ford Motor Company: if Doc Brown drove a Mustang instead of a DeLorean in the movie, they would receive a fantastic deal. However, when Gale saw the proposal, he told the kid bluntly that Doc Brown certainly wouldn’t drive a Mustang.

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How Back to the Future designed its iconic DeLorean time machine

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The appearance of the time-traveling DeLorean originated from preliminary drawings by the renowned Ron Cobb, who sadly passed away in September 2020 at the age of 83. As Probert stated, “He designed the car as if it only took a week. He was incredibly swift and skillful.

In addition, Probert was requested to provide his unique take on the vehicle’s design, emphasizing an industrial aesthetic, and incorporating the distinctive flux capacitor as a lengthy energy contraption positioned on the car’s ceiling.

Instead of simply stating “This is what makes time travel possible,” Doc Brown chose a more elaborate explanation, as he couldn’t show the flux capacitor directly while speaking about it in the main shot. This was confirmed by the need for an insert shot, and if my suggestion had been implemented, a tilt-up shot would have been possible to visually display the glowing flux capacitor.

According to the official BTTF website, neither Cobb nor Probert were responsible for the final design of the flux capacitor; instead, it was Special Effects Consultant Michael Fink who created the look and even contributed to its name. For clarification, Cobb had suggested placing the capacitor on top of the vehicle.

In contrast, Cobb’s interior space resonated more with me, mirroring the spontaneous, improvisational approach that Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) embodied. As a fan, I found Ron’s design reminiscent of a professor rummaging through a second-hand parts store – a representation that truly captures the essence of the show. Ron was exceptionally intuitive when it came to such details, and I must say, he deserves my admiration for getting it so right.

After Cobb had to attend to other responsibilities, it was left to Probert to complete the task of smoothing out any rough spots. As his Wikipedia page indicates, in 1984, he took over from where Ron Cobb had left off on the Back to the Future project, initially sketching storyboards and then continuing the design of the DeLorean time machine that Cobb had begun.

He shared with us that the producers weren’t completely satisfied with his initial work and requested some minor adjustments. They provided him with specifications, which he incorporated along with his own ideas, resulting in the car that was eventually filmed. Essentially, what he meant by completing the design was that it was this modified version of the original idea that they ended up using.

In his initial sketches, Probert designed the DeLorean with a small radar dish on top, reminiscent of those found on yachts, but the producers weren’t fond of this idea and requested it be removed. However, when it came to modifying Cobb’s design, the producers wanted dual cooling vents positioned near the car’s nuclear reactor, emulating the makeshift look of a vehicle from the Mad Max series.

Probert stated that he made adjustments to the design of the atomic reactor, centering Ron’s circular design and making it more symmetrical. He also altered its appearance, added an extra vent, and repositioned the flux emission bands for better coverage around the car. In his view, this provided a more encompassing look.

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2024-11-07 19:47