Summary
Though I and many knowMichael J. Foxfor his most iconic performance inBack to the Future, we should never forget his role in a famous Tim Burton movie. He gained acclaim as Marty McFly in theBack to the Futurefranchise, thoughFox now has mixed feelings on reboot attempts.After the series ended in 1990, Fox had enough power to collaborate and experiment with his films.He has since retired, butFox’s career might resume post-retirement, as Fox has said that he would be willing to return to voice acting, despite health issues.
During the 1990s, Fox was able to work with many directors on unusual projects. When considering the catalog of a director like Burton, who often works with a similar cast for every movie, it can be easy to forget the one-off performances of famous actors. Unfortunately, this goes for Fox, who appeared in one Burton film and is usually overlooked. Despite this,Fox had a vast movie career, especially at the time of this film’s premiere, making it easy to forget.With such an influential career, it is easy for some of Fox’s lesser-known works to go unappreciated.
10 Best Performances In Tim Burton Movies
Tim Burton is one of modern cinema’s most influential and talented directors, and many actors have given career-best performances in his films.
Michael J. Fox Was In Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks!
Fox Plays Jason Stone
Fox starred as Jason Stone in Tim Burton’s 1966 filmMars Attacks!The film is an over-the-top alien invasion movie inspired by B-movies of the era. The film follows different groups of people during a seemingly peaceful Martian invasion.Fox plays an opportunistic news reporter who tries to capitalize on the invasion.Sarah Jessica Parker plays his girlfriend and famous talk show host, Nathalie Lake. The cast and tone ofMars Attacks!is zany and outlandish, and Fox fills that role well, giving an energetic and sleazy performance. Many agree thatMars Attacks!is Burton’s most underrated comedy.
The film is based on a trading card game of the same name.
Fresh from his success in theBack to the Futurefranchise,the 1990s were an experimental time in Fox’s career. He could take on lesser-known projects and experiment as both actor and producer. In the 1990s, Fox appeared in over 15 movies. With all the other projects he took on then, it’s easy to forget Fox’s role inMars Attacks!, despite his iconic performance.
Why Mars Attacks! Is Still Tim Burton’s Weirdest Movies (In A Good Way)
The Notably Goofy Film Has A Famous Cast
Fox was nearly overshadowed byMars Attacks!’s surprisingly star-studded cast.Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Pierce Brosnan, and Natalie Portman joined him, among others. This cast proves Burton’s influence at the time, as he was able to get so many important actors to star in such a comedic film. The movie is filled with silly performances, comically poor animation, and iconic monsters. Overall, theMars Attacks!grossed more than $101 million at the box office, just barely surpassing its budget. Despite the box office failure, the cast and director ofMars Attacks!remained public figures with successful careers.
RewatchingMars Attacks!,it’s easy to see where and how Fox gets lost in the major cast and complex plot. Yet,his performance in Burton’s film is still highly noteworthy.Plus, he was finding major movie success in that era withMars Attacks!being more experimental than mainstream.Michael J. Fox’s performance is worth remembering in one of Tim Burton’s strangest films yet.
Mars Attacks!
Cast
Mars Attacks! is a science fiction comedy directed by Tim Burton. Set against the backdrop of a global Martian invasion, the film follows a series of misadventures involving various characters, including a U.S. president played by Jack Nicholson and a quirky scientist portrayed by Pierce Brosnan. The ensemble cast also features Glenn Close, Annette Bening, and Danny DeVito, blending dark humor with Burton’s signature visual style.
