Claudia Wells is known for her role of Jennifer Parker, the girlfriend of Marty McFly in “Back to the Future”. Claudia is ready for a comeback and had a chance to chat with Movie Mikes to discuss her career and what’s upcoming.
Click here to purchase “Back to the Future” on DVD and Blu-Ray
Mike Gencarelli: Can you tell us what it was like working on “Back to the Future”?
Claudia Wells: Oh Michael, it was an absolute joy. I look back on that time with fond memories. I don’t think we quite knew what we had at the time – not that there was much free time to sit around and ponder such things! Definitely wasn’t aware of the lightning that was encapsulated in that bottle. I feel blessed to have been involved in a film that, 25 years later, is still as popular as ever – if not more!
MG: What was it like working with director Robert Zemeckis, Michael J. Fox and the other cast in “Back to the Future”?
CW: All of them were absolute joy to work with – as was Christopher Lloyd and James Tolkan, who I still keep in touch with today. I obviously spent the most time with Michael, and I could not have asked for a more wonderful co-star – he was generous, supportive and just a lot of fun to work with! I caught up with Michael a couple of years ago at a book signing of his in San Francisco, it was such a joy to see him after all this time. He’s not just a great actor, he’s an inspiration.
MG: Was there any reason you didn’t return for the sequels?
CW: Sadly, my mother was battling cancer at the time and so family came first. There was just too much turmoil at the time. That’s the short answer why I didn’t reprise Jennifer for “Back to the Future 2 and 3′.
MG: You took a leave from acting for sometime, what made you want to return?
CW: I left, as I said, because my mother had cancer. You know, I think it’s with anything, as much as you enjoy something there always comes a time when you need to take a break from it – if even until you rediscover your passion for it! In the past eighteen months or so, I’ve definitely found a renewed interest in acting… hopefully you’ll be seeing a lot more of me in the – excuse the pun – future!
MG: Do you have any upcoming projects?
CW: I’ve actually just completed a new film called “Battleground: Los
Angeles”. It’s only a small part but the film, a science-fiction movie from filmmaker Neil Johnson, looks like it’ll be a ton of fun! I believe it’ll be released sometime next year. Neil was able to help me accomplish a dream of mine – to play a gun-toting action hero! Look out Sarah Connor!
Click here to purchase “Back to the Future” on DVD and Blu-Ray