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Actor and advocate Michael J. Fox will make a special appearance at the Southampton Playhouse this weekend for a 40th anniversary screening of the 1985 classic “Back to the Future,” followed by an onstage conversation where he’ll reflect on the movie’s legacy, his career and his foundation’s work in Parkinson’s research.
The beloved film — arguably Hollywood’s definitive time-travel story — will be shown in IMAX as part of the Playhouse’s 80s Blockbuster Essentials series.
Fox will take the stage after the 6 p.m. screening on Sunday, Aug. 10, to speak with the audience about the film that made him a global icon, as well as his life journey since its release, including the impact of the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Fox, who formerly owned a home in Quogue, has been active in the Hamptons recently. On Saturday, he attended Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld’s annual Good+ Foundation Summer Dinner at the Seinfelds’ East Hampton home, where he joined other celebrities in supporting the charity’s mission to help under-resourced families.
The conversation marks a rare public appearance by Fox, who has largely stepped back from acting in recent years due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
The Playhouse’s 80s series continues the following evening, Aug. 11, with a 6 p.m. screening of “The Terminator” featuring a post-film Q&A with — no not Arnold Schwarzenegger but — producer Gale Anne Hurd.
Hurd co-wrote the film and acquired the rights for just one dollar. The flick helped launch a franchise that continues to echo in today’s AI-obsessed culture. Her post-screening discussion will reflect on her work with James Cameron and how “The Terminator” shaped her career in both blockbuster and independent filmmaking.
On Aug. 21, the Playhouse will screen Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial in IMAX at 6 p.m. The emotionally charged tale of a marooned alien and his young human friend has long been considered a cinematic touchstone.
The rare IMAX screening will offer audiences a chance to experience the film’s iconic imagery — including its famous moonlit bike ride — in IMAX detail.
The 80s Blockbuster Essentials series is part of the playhouse’s broader effort to celebrate the legacy of big-screen storytelling, as it also gears up for a 50th anniversary IMAX re-release of Jaws later this summer.
Top photo: On Saturday, Michael J. Fox attended Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld’s annual Good+ Foundation Summer Dinner at the Seinfelds’ East Hampton home. In this photo, he is pictured with NBA champ Kevin Love (Credit: Matteo Prandoni and Todd Rubin of BFA.com).
