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Marty McFly’s (Michael J. Fox) wooden SFX hoverboard from Robert Zemeckis' Back to the Future Part II and its sequel, Part III. McFly first commandeered his hoverboard from a young girl in the year 2015 to escape from Griff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) and his gang. He continued to use it throughout Part II and again during the climactic train sequence in Part III. The hoverboard became McFly's signature accessory and remains among the most beloved hi-tech innovations associated with the franchise.
Back to the Future Part II became a cultural phenomenon upon release, capturing the 1980s vision of the future and simultaneously predicting a range of technological advancements, such as flatscreen televisions, wearable tech, and various other newfangled communication methods. The film was also innovative for its visual effects created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), including the VistaGlide motion control camera system that allowed the actors on screen to portray multiple characters seamlessly. After its release, the date used for the setting of Back to the Future Part II became known as "Back to the Future Day," which serves as the annual anniversary for the film trilogy.
Production custom-built two primary styles of hoverboards: wood boards, including this example, for effects work, such as shots of the actor riding the board; and lightweight foam boards typically used for shots of the performer carrying the board. While the hoverboards were originally designed with lenticular graphics with a holographic 3D appearance, the process proved so expensive, given the number of boards required for filming, that it was replaced by a high-resolution printed version as the production progressed.
This hoverboard is applied with photo-print graphics labeled "HOVERBOARD," Mattel logos, and zig-zagging pink and green stripes. It features a green foot-pad and fuzzy pink foot-strap, a rare modification frequently missing from other hoverboards and highly coveted by collectors, as well as a hole in the front from where Marty McFly would have removed the handle.
Also present is a hole in the center of the board for attaching a gimbal. Production tried multiple approaches for shots of the hoverboards until ultimately settling on a gimbal effect, which may been using in such key shots as Marty's hoverboard dipping into a pond. Surviving examples with gimbal holes are extraordinarily scarce.
This hoverboard was also uniquely built without the bottom hoverpad attachments, giving a much clearer look at the bottom graphics than one would find on other hoverboards. The lot shows evidence of wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age, including scuffs and dents. Dimensions: 28.75" x 8" x 1.5" (73.25 cm x 20.5 cm x 4 cm)
Estimate: $150,000 - 300,000
View all lots from BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (1989)/BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (1990)
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.