Originally cast as Marty McFly for "Back to the Future" in late 1984, he was replaced with Michael J. Fox after about a month of filming. Five weeks after filming had begun, a deal was reached with the producers of "Family Ties" so that the film would shoot around Fox’s television schedule, so Fox replaced Stoltz in the film. Scenes that had already been filmed were shot again featuring Fox. Some of the original footage, where Stoltz does not appear but was on set, was used in the film. Stoltz playing the character was referenced in the 2010 episode of "Fringe" titled "Peter" when, in a parallel universe, a theater marquee reads ""Back to the Future" starring Eric Stoltz".