Before achieving widespread acclaim for his iconic comedic performances in films like There's Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, and Zoolander, actor and filmmaker Ben Stiller was among several budding young talents considered for the pivotal role of Marty McFly in the classic 1985 film, Back to the Future. This intriguing piece of cinematic history was unveiled in the Back to the Future Ultimate Trilogy home video release, which showcased various young actors who auditioned for what ultimately became Michael J. Fox's career-defining part. Among the notable hopefuls like Jon Cryer, C. Thomas Howell, and Billy Zane, Ben Stiller's unearthed audition tape stands out as a particularly exciting revelation.

The footage of Stiller's audition for Marty McFly is notably brief but offers a glimpse into his early acting capabilities. In the clip, Stiller, embodying Marty, responds to a question from a younger version of his character's mother, Lorraine. When Lorraine inquires about his parents, Stiller, delivering the lines, replies, "Lorraine, lately I’ve come to the conclusion that I don't know anything about my parents." This exchange perfectly captures Marty's disorientation and shock upon encountering his parents in their youth after his unexpected journey back to 1955. Stiller infuses his reading with a distinctive vulnerability and in-character nervousness, making the footage endearingly charming. Even at approximately 19 years old, Stiller's audition clearly exhibits the unique hallmarks of genuine sincerity and an incredible gift for comedic neurosis that would later define his decades-long career.

Despite Stiller's natural talent evident in his screen test, the role of Marty McFly was not destined for him. The casting process for Back to the Future was a complex one; Michael J. Fox was the filmmakers' initial choice, but his commitment to the television series Family Ties initially made him unavailable. Consequently, the part was first offered to Eric Stoltz, fresh from his acclaimed performance in Peter Bogdanovich's Mask. However, as documented in Caseen Gaines' book We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy, Stoltz's more dramatic interpretation of Marty did not align with the filmmakers' vision. This led to the decision in early 1985 to replace Stoltz with Fox, a move that is now regarded as legendary in film history. Fox's portrayal cemented his ownership of the character, embodying the perfect blend of charisma, comedic timing, and endearing leading-man charm that the role demanded, making it almost impossible to envision anyone else as Marty McFly.

While Stiller's energetic approach may not have been perfectly synchronized with the character of Marty McFly, his considerable talents were undeniable and soon found their rightful place. His first major hit, the raunchy yet heartfelt 1998 comedy There's Something About Mary, marked the beginning of a string of successful comedies, including Meet the Parents, Zoolander, and the Academy Award-nominated feature Tropic Thunder, which he also co-wrote and directed. Both Stiller and Fox went on to cultivate impressive and prestigious careers. Though things didn't work out for Stiller with Back to the Future, the ultimate course of events led to Fox delivering one of the most iconic blockbuster performances of all time, a testament to the adage that some roles are simply meant for certain actors.

Regardless of the historical outcome, the rediscovered footage of Stiller's audition for Marty McFly remains a captivating piece of cinematic history. It underscores the profound importance of the character and the Back to the Future film series, illustrating just how many prominent young actors of that era vied for the role. This also highlights the widespread anticipation that the film was a significant undertaking, with Universal Pictures, director Robert Zemeckis, writer-producer Bob Gale, and executive producer Steven Spielberg clearly having a monumental hit on their hands. Watching the footage naturally sparks curiosity about an alternate reality—a "what if" scenario where Stiller had landed the role. While Fox delivered a nearly flawless performance, Stiller, with his proven comedic wit, might have offered an incredibly different yet compelling portrayal. It's an amusing thought, particularly given that Back to the Future itself explores themes of time travel and the creation of alternative future outcomes, much like Marty and Doc Brown altering timelines in Back to the Future: Part II. Back to the Future, a seminal adventure comedy and sci-fi film released on July 3, 1985, with a runtime of 116 minutes, was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and produced by Gale, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, and Neil Canton. Starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Emmett Brown, the film launched a beloved franchise that includes sequels Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III, and is currently available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.