This summer features the return of Indiana Jones, Batman, and The Hulk. Considering it’s hip to revive old franchises, you have to figure that just about any previous idea that lasted beyond a single movie is probably being considered for a revival. That isn’t completely the case, however, at least in the case of one time traveling adventure.

Recently, Bob Gale, Writer/Producer of Back to the Future appeared at a Q&A session to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Before the first question could be asked, Gale addressed the inevitable: ”Let me answer one question before anyone asks it, which is, 'Is there ever be a Back to the Future Part IV?'" Gale’s simple answer came in one word:"No., according to BTTF.com.

Oddly, the response wasn’t the excited thrill of a franchise that wouldn’t be messed with like you’d expect. Instead fans that were present grumbled about not seeing Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel through time again – a response Gale quickly addressed. ”We've all seen sometimes where they make one too many sequels and you say, 'Maybe they shouldn't have done that.' I'm not going to name any names of movies, but you know what they are!” I’m sure the timing of the Q&A session, the same weekend Indiana Jones resurfaced, had nothing to do with that statement.

Gale stands by his decision, which comes from the creators of the franchise, not the studio. ”I'm sure Universal would love it if we were to say to them, 'Hey, let's do another one,' but we don't think we could ever make a fourth one that would live up to how great the first three are, so we're going to leave well enough alone." Of course, not messing with the trilogy sadly isn’t the only reason to keep from creating a fourth picture. ”I'm sure you all know, Michael J. Fox is not in the best of shape with his Parkinson's. The idea of making another Back to the Future movie without Michael J. Fox — you know, that's like saying 'I'm going to cook you a steak dinner and I'm going to hold the beef.' You can't do that."

I have to respect a producer who is giving up the opportunity for an automatic box-office draw in favor of maintaining the integrity of the existing storyline and the actors involved. I, for one, have zero interest in a fourth Back to the Future flick. I love the trilogy as it stands, but let’s just leave it there.