Hoverboards Side by Side

Yesterday, the Co-Creator, Writer, and Producer of the Back to the Future trilogy, Bob Gale,  shared with Beyond the Marquee a letter addressed to Back to the Future fans around the world. In it, he expressed his disappointment with the produced Hoverboard prop-replica released by Mattel’s high-end Matty Collector toy division.

This morning, he further expounded on his disappointment with the recently released Hoverboard by offering up some side-by-side photo comparisons of the Mattel replica alongside of his original, screen-used props from Back to the Future Part II.  He also provided his notes and we’re glad to list them here for you.

If you’re going to build a Hoverboard into a collector’s piece, why not do it with some style?

Mattel’s prop-replica Hoverboard

Throughout the first full week of December, the much anticipated Back to the Future Part II prop-replica Hoverboard, produced by Mattel’s high-end Matty Collector brand, began shipping out to eager fans.  For many who had been waiting since pre-orders were placed back in March, expectations were set high. Beyond the Marquee had a hand in raising those expectations when we produced two episodes at Mattel’s design studio covering the development of the boards.  Our staff were just as enthused when we met with Scott Neitlich, Mattel’s Marketing Manager, who ensured everyone that “it’s going to be perfect, it’s going to be what we wanted, it’s going to be the Hoverboard we’ve been waiting for”.  The bar had been raised.

Back to the Future’s Co-Creator/Producer/Writer Bob Gale and Special Effects Supervisor, Michael Lantieri, visited Mattel and were brought in to consult and share screen-used Hoverboard props with the Hoverboard design team. With these authentic visual references fully available, it seemed like a guarantee that all aspects of color, size, shape and sound for constructing a screen-accurate prop replica would be met.  As the months rolled by, however, rumors began swirling online that the final product might not live up to those expectations and Mattel, when pressed, remained very quiet on the subject.  The company still isn’t saying much.

Unfortunately, the rumors turned out to be 100% accurate and the end result was a Hoverboard that has not lived up to the hopes and dreams of those who shelled out good money for a quality collector’s piece.  Fans who purchased the boards are now becoming more vocal online, requesting refunds and lambasting Mattel (with Beyond the Marquee and Bob Gale thrown in the mix a bit).  Despite our loyalty to Scott Neitlich and Mattel’s generosity to our site, we don’t blame the critics of these Hoverboards at all and we, as fans of Back to the Future ourselves, do join in the complaints.

Mattel sent us a Hoverboard a few days ahead of their shipping schedule so that we could have a chance to review it.  This Hoverboard was fully purchased by us and not given as a free or promotional item from Mattel. We encourage you to view the video and read the review at this link: http://www.beyondthemarquee.com/15970.

Bob Gale, who enthusiastically ordered eight boards for himself, has now publicly come forward to express his concerns to loyal Back to the Future fans who believed, as he did, that this would be the ultimate Hoverboard prop-replica. He shared his views with us and our partner site, BTTF.com, by submitting the following letter.