Movies - TV
Why Jennifer Wasn’t Played By Claudia Wells In Back To The Future’s Sequels
By BILL BRIA
Claudia Wells played Jennifer Parker in “Back to the Future”; however, the actress couldn't reprise her role in the sequels, and the part was recast for “Part II” and “Part III.”
Thanks to director Robert Zemeckis dragging his feet to make “Back to the Future Part II,” the movie didn’t go before cameras until a full four years after the first film was shot.
In that intervening time, Wells’ mom had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, and the actress simply couldn't consider returning to work at all during that period.
Wells said, ”I just didn't have it in me to do anything but deal with [...] my mom being in the process of dying. I just wasn't in a place to be able to think about my career.”
Jennifer Parker was then recast for “Part II” and “Part III” with Elisabeth Shue. Wells added that she was “very flattered and honored because I think [Shue's] an amazing actress.”