The science fiction series "Back to the Future" (1985-1990) has long had a cult following. The time travel trilogy grossed almost a billion US dollars worldwide. Doc Brown actor Christopher Lloyd (83) and Marty McFly actor Michael J. Fox (61) are still invited to various conventions today. The brand remains firmly anchored in pop culture. Instead of Fox, another actor almost became a young time traveler: "Karate Kid" star Ralph Macchio (60).

In his new biography "Waxing On", from which various US media quote, he reveals that he met Steven Spielberg (75) and Robert Zemeckis (70) to play the role of Marty McFly in the time travel blockbuster by to take over in 1985. The main obstacle was his pronounced New York style of expression. "They said, 'Can you drop the New York accent? It's more apple pie and all-American,'" the Long Island actor quoted from his audition. "The irony is that the role was played by a Canadian." That Canadian was Michael J. Fox, who Macchio doesn't blame either: "The right Marty McFly was picked absolutely."

Macchio is currently benefiting from his appearances in the "Karate Kid" series (1984-1989). The Netflix production "Cobra Kai" takes up the events of the old martial arts strips in a comedic way. It is not only popular with the fans of that time. The fifth season of the sequel series was only released on the streaming service on September 9th and a sixth is considered likely. In addition to Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, William Zabka appears again as Johnny Lawrence.