The year 2015 came and went, and although Back to the Future IIOpens in a new tab promised us hoverboards, we’re all still waiting. Well, Mattel might not be mass-producing hoverboards the way we wanted. Despite some promising attemptsOpens in a new tab. But one lucky (and wealthy) fan did manage to get their hands on the original prop from the film. Which is kind of better, really. Via SmithsonianOpens in a new tab, we’ve learned that the original Back to the Future II hoverboard screen-used propOpens in a new tab recently sold at auction for a cool $501,200.
So why did this one prop go for such an astronomical price? Especially compared to some other high-profile props sold at the same auction? Not only is it the same hoverboard used in the movie, but it’s signed by Marty McFly himselfOpens in a new tab, Michael J. Fox. Not only Fox, but it also has a signature from the perpetual thorn in Marty’s side, Biff Tannen. Or rather, the signature of actor Thomas F. WilsonOpens in a new tab. Ok, that right there is worth half a million dollars if you ask us.
An unidentified buyer purchased the Back to the Future II hoverboard from the Prop StoreOpens in a new tab‘s big auction. This world-famous entertainment memorabilia vendor has locations in London and Los Angeles, and frequently hosts auctions containing pieces of some of our favorite movies, from Star Wars to Spider-Man to Lord of the Rings. The hoverboard ended up going for a lot more than the auction house originally estimated. Their calculations had it going for $80,000 to $100,000. But it seems they underestimated just how serious fans of Hill Valley time travel shenanigansOpens in a new tab really are.
Among the other iconic film props sold at this most recent auctionOpens in a new tab were Wilson, Tom Hanks’ volleyball buddy from Cast Away, Russell Crowe’s helmet from Gladiator; and a miniature model of an X-Wing fighter from Return of the Jedi. And although all of these went for more than $300,000, clearly Marty’s pink hoverboard was the belle of the ball.
