Great Scott! Christopher Lloyd's Biggest Regret Regarding Back to the Future Part III
In his memoir, the unforgettable Doc Brown from Back to the Future looks back at the filming of the third installment and reveals an unexpected regret involving a train stunt.
The unforgettable Doc Emmett Brown from the iconic trilogy directed by Robert Zemeckis recently shared fascinating behind-the-scenes stories in his memoir, In My Own Time. While joking about his age in a nod to the DeLorean's 88 miles-per-hour time-travel threshold, the actor opened up with striking honesty about a specific moment from his past.
In the third installment of the franchise, which embraces a classic western aesthetic, the scientist finds himself in a breathless sequence chasing a high-speed steam locomotive on horseback. While the production wisely relied on a stunt double for the final jump onto the moving train car, Christopher Lloyd still carries a lingering regret about not taking the leap himself.
Recalling how close he was to the roaring engine—close enough to feel the ground shake and the powerful rush of wind—the actor admits he genuinely believed he could grab it. Hesitating at the absolute last second to avoid jeopardizing the entire shoot, he ultimately stepped back. Whenever he watches the film, he still feels a pang of what-if.
Naming the third movie his personal favorite due to its western elements and Doc's first-ever romance, the beloved actor also reflected on how his career helped him overcome a lifelong shyness. By channeling his quiet observations of people into rich character creation, he successfully stepped out of his shell to craft a legendary cinematic legacy.