Feature: BACK TO THE FUTURE 4!? [DOC. VS. BIFF] OSAKA COMIC CON 2024 CELEBRITY STAGE

Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson and other celebrities visited Japan for Osaka Comic Con 2024 held from May 3rd for three days. "Osaka Comic Con" is a pop culture festival that provides opportunities for communication with celebrities and exhibits props used in movies. Here, we bring you the highlights of the talk show featuring these two who co-starred in the legendary movie series, "Back to the Future" (hereafter BTTF) during the event.

Christopher Lloyd : Known for his role as Emmett "Doc" Brown in BTTF film series. Other notable works include “The Addams Family.”

Thomas F. Wilson : Became famous for his role as the antagonist, Biff, in the same series.

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[Osaka Comic Con Features]

01 Feature: 9 Celebrities Gathered at Osaka Comic Con 2024 Opening Ceremony

02 Interview : [Osaka Comic Con 2024 Ambassador] Takumi Saitoh

03 Feature: Back to the Future 4!? [Doc. vs. Biff] Osaka Comic Con 2024 Celebrity Stage

04 Feature: Marvel’s Loki and Sylvie in Japan! [Tom H. vs. Sophia M.] Osaka Comic Con 2024 Celebrity Stage

05 Feature: The Walking Dead, Norman R. appears Osaka Comic Con 2024 Celebrity Stage

06 Feature: 11 Celebrities Gathered at Osaka Comic Con 2024 Grand Finale

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Thomas appeared with a camera in hand. “Osaka, Konnichiwa (Hello)!” he greeted. “Oh, way over there.” he exclaimed, waving in all directions, but hesitated at the center. He then took the hand of a staff member on stage, linking arms and bowing. His humor was already overflowing. Thomas then turned the camera towards Christopher, who struck a playful pose, waving in response to the cheers from the audience.

Without delay, the Q&A session with began.

Q. This is your fourth time at Comic Con in Tokyo and Osaka, Christopher. How do you feel about Japan each time?

Christopher : “My first time, long time ago, I was very excited about it. I have an excitement each time when I come back because I always discover something new. This is my first time in Osaka, and the view from the window seat of the city is amazing. I’m happy to be here.”

Q. What are your memories from filming BTTF?

Thomas : I’ve done some roles in “Knight Rider,” those sorts of TV shows but BTTF was really my first movies. Now I approach things with a great deal of a humor and relaxation. I’m just a normal person like everybody. I’m just having fun with this. But then, I was on the movie set with great historic actors, so I was just trying do a good job very nervously but working very hard.

And I’m so gratified that not only in a personal way I become good friends with Christopher, Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson… for so many the years. But to participate in something together that has moved so many people in such a powerful way is amazing “

Q. Why do you think BTTF is so beloved?

Christopher : “It’s a time space story about going to some other feature galaxy. Everybody has imaginations of ‘What if I could go 50 years forward the time to see what’s out there?’ Space is so relentless and never stops. All the imagination could come up with about it. I think that's a big factor—the curiosity about time space.”

Thomas : "I agree with Christopher but it's amazing that the movie has big effects and big excitement, and going to the future in a machine and such adventure. But I think why it struck a chord in the whole world and every generation.

It’s a simple story about a boy and his friend (pointing at Christopher), get to travel in time and he meets his mother and father. Will he like them? What kind of people are they? What kind of world did they live in? Can I understand my mother and father a little better? So it's a big adventure movie but also a very small story about a family and a friend, and their adventure together. And that's why everyone loves the spectacle but their heart it touched by the small story about a family and a friend.”

A Special Message from a Special Guest!

Lea Thompson : ”Konnichiwa. I am Lea Thompson. I played Lorraine McFly in BTTF and I am so sorry I am not there at Osaka Comic Con! I am in Canada, acting.

I know you're gonna have a great time with Tom and Christopher, my great friends and hope to see you next time. Arigato (Thank you).” And she blew a kiss. A surprise video message from Lea, who played Marty's mother in BTTF and had to cancel her visit, was delivered."

Watching this, Thomas jokingly crossed his arms, saying, “Well, I must say that's just not good enough!"

Q. I love the scene where Biff, played by Thomas, plunges headfirst into manure in BTTF3. What are your favorite scenes?

Thomas : “Not the manure truck (lol). I love the scenes in the Wests a cowboy with Christopher with Michael. What boy around the world doesn't dream of coming into a saloon like this…” He then vividly demonstrated the sound of cowboy boots and recreated the scene in detail. “…’What’s your name, dude!?’…like that! Everyone clears their chairs, like ‘Oh..!’ just by standing there.

I grew up in Philadelphia, the city much like Osaka. I did not ride horses, shoot guns, or spin the rope on horseback, and I got to learn all of those skills from legends of Hollywood, these men who had worked with John Wayne and John Ford. So it's just a dream for a boy from Philadelphia who don’t ride a horse but the train.”

Christopher : “There's so many moments…” Then he laughs at Thomas, who was drawing attention with a cough. “They had a premiere of BTTF Ⅱ or Ⅲ and I went to London for this premiere, which was being sponsored by Princess Diana. Michael was unable to attend so I sat next to Princess Diana. She was a very attractive woman and her favorite moment in the film where she really guffawed, was when he ran into the manure truck.”

Thomas : “I was with Princess Diana at the time. She actually wanted to sit next to ME,” he jokes, revealing his competitive spirit.

Q. I also love Uncle Fester from The Addams Family. How did you prepare for the role?

Christopher : “I don't know what went on the boardrooms but I grew up looking at Charles Addams’ cartoons. I had a particular connection to Uncle Fester. I liked his mischief and humor. And a few decades later, I got a call whether I like to be Uncle Fester in the film. I mean what the odds that is happening.”

Q. Michael J. Fox has announced his return to acting! Would you like to work with him again in the future?

When Christopher started to respond off-microphone, Thomas handed him a mic. Christopher, playfully retorting, said, "I've got my own mic right here! Don't make fun of me, geez..." The comedic exchange had the audience roaring with laughter. Thomas, playing along, gestured apologetically and said, "Alright, alright, my bad!"

Christopher : “I would love to work with him. Especially if it was going to be BTTF Ⅳ or any movies, or theater. It would be honor.

Thomas : "Nuh!" he joked, then added, "Of course. Michael is a great actor and a great human being. But the thing is working with him is fun in both ways, that he is such a friendly person and we have a wonderful time and telling the story together. But during the acting, he comes at it with the kind of intensity, the talent and the focus that I think actors like to work with. So I would love to work with him anytime, as long as I get paid more.” He concluded with another joke.

Japanese Comedian's Tears of Joy

In the latter part of the talk, Yuriyan Retriever, a Japanese comedian who’s fan of BTTF, appeared and presented the two with bouquets. Thomas snatched Christopher's bouquet, flaunting it to the audience. He pretended to leave, making the audience laugh, while Christopher glared at him.

Seeing Yuriyan moved to tears, Thomas put an arm around her shoulder to comfort her. On the other hand, when she made a fart joke, Thomas, looking exasperated, said, “I need my Sake hammer (a mallet for sake barrel breaking from the opening ceremony [Read: Feature: 9 Celebrities Gathered at Osaka Comic Con 2024 Opening Ceremony]) (lol).” Christopher, however, found it hilarious.

Behind the Scenes of the Photo Session

Just like during the opening ceremony, Thomas once again played a prank on Christopher by messing with his head. However, this time, Christopher retaliated, causing the audience to burst into laughter. Responding to fans waving, Thomas said, "I see you," and a fan shouted, "I love you!" Thomas mimicked back, "I love you!". When asked to wave at the TV cameras, both of them smiled warmly.

As he was about to leave, Thomas said, “Arigato gozaimashita (Thank you very much)!” and almost forgot his camera. As soon as he got it, he took a selfie. Pretending to wait for Christopher’s exit, he made a move as if to kick him out. The stage remained entertaining until the end.

Even over 30 years after the last BTTF film, the chemistry between the two remains impeccable. With Michael J. Fox's return to acting now confirmed, the realization of BTTF Ⅳ with this cast might not be too far off.

Great News!

Tokyo Comic Con 2024 is scheduled for December 6th (Friday) to December 8th (Sunday). For those who missed this event, keep an eye out.

★Other Related Features★

[Osaka Comic Con Features]

01 Feature: 9 Celebrities Gathered at Osaka Comic Con 2024 Opening Ceremony

02 Interview : [Osaka Comic Con 2024 Ambassador] Takumi Saitoh

03 Feature: Back to the Future 4!? [Doc. vs. Biff] Osaka Comic Con 2024 Celebrity Stage

04 Feature: Marvel’s Loki and Sylvie in Japan! [Tom H. vs. Sophia M.] Osaka Comic Con 2024 Celebrity Stage

05 Feature: The Walking Dead, Norman R. appears Osaka Comic Con 2024 Celebrity Stage

06 Feature: 11 Celebrities Gathered at Osaka Comic Con 2024 Grand Finale

Photo Credit : [Ⓒ2024 Osaka comic con All rights reserved./ Ayaka Ozaki]

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