30 years ago, Back to the Future 2 predicted the future with a joke that brilliantly mirrors current cinema

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Michael J. Starring Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future (1985) took its audience on an exciting journey through time that combines science fiction, humor and a great sense of adventure.

Its success was such that it became a trilogy, with the second installment, Back to the Future II (1989), captivating audiences with its futuristic vision of 2015. And while many of the film’s technological predictions have come true, it’s one in particular that stands out for its witty critique of today’s film industry…

In Back to the Future IIMarch finds itself in 2015, a year full of amazing technological advances like video calls, flat screen TVs and smart glasses. However, one of the most memorable scenes occurs when he encounters a giant hologram of a shark that promotes the film Jaws 19. This moment, although humorous, hides a harsh criticism of the growing tendency of Hollywood to produce endless sequels.

Movie franchise growth forecast

The fact that 19 Jaws films are allegedly directed by Max Spielberg is also a direct reference to the famous director and friend. Robert ZemeckisSteven Spielberg. In 1987, two years before the release Back to the Future IIThe Jaws saga released its fourth film, Jaws 4: Revenge, which already suggested the saturation of the franchise in the industry. The joke about Jaws 19 was not only satire, but also a warning of what was to come in the coming decades: sequels, over and over again.

In the 1980s, the film industry began to exploit the franchise more and more, publishing several episodes of sagas such as Superman or Freddy – Nightclaws. However, this commercial strategy, although profitable, often led to a decline in the quality of the films. Titles like Superman IV or Friday the 13th Chapter 7: The New Challenge are prime examples of how these sequels sometimes seemed driven more by commercial desire than narrative quality. However, he likes trilogies in front of them Back to the future So either Star Wars proved that three chapters was a good number (especially when the story allowed it) and synonymous with success.

Nowadays, the phenomenon of sequels and sagas has certainly increased. Modern examples such as Fast & Furious, with more than a dozen films, or Saw, which has amassed a dozen titles, show how Hollywood has embraced the mass production of franchises. In addition, the revival of sagas with late sequels such as Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in the 2000s, then again in 2015 with Star Wars – The Force Awakens or more recently Alien: Romulus and even the birth of more than 20 franchises. Years later with Gladiator 2, show that the industry continues to focus on reviving past stories.

Adding to this trend is the cinematic world, where films follow each other within the same plot. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opened in 2008 with Iron Man, is the most representative case, with more than 30 films and series from 2008 to the present. This model has redefined how viewers consume cinema, encouraging viewers to spend time and effort following the thread of an ever-expanding universe.

in any case Back to the Future II That’s why he was right.

You can still watch the Back to the Future trilogy streaming on Prime Video.

Also discover the fake Jaws 19 trailer!