Michael J. Fox and cast reunite to take fans back to the past at SVCC

Michael J. Fox speaks to a crowd during a panel discussion about "Back to the Future" during the Silicon Valley Comic Con in San Jose, California on March 19, 2016. The comic and entertainment-themed event features exhibits, panel discussions and pop culture artistry. Fox starred in the 1985 US science-fiction adventure comedy film "Back to the Future." / AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSONJOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images less Michael J. Fox speaks to a crowd during a panel discussion about "Back to the Future" during the Silicon Valley Comic Con in San Jose, California on March 19, 2016. The comic and entertainment-themed event ... more Photo: JOSH EDELSON, AFP/Getty Images Photo: JOSH EDELSON, AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Michael J. Fox and cast reunite to take fans back to the past at SVCC 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

SAN JOSE — Movie fans went back to the past with celebrities Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson on Saturday, March 19 at the Silicon Valley Comic Con.

It was an emotional reunion for the gang, who filmed the first movie about 30 years ago, a milestone that was celebrated with much fanfare last year (Oct. 21, 2015 was the date that Fox’s character, Marty McFly, went to via a time-traveling DeLorean in 1989’s “Back to the Future Part II”).

Video: DeLorean Time Machine at Comic Con

Fans grilled the actors on their favorite moments in the “Back to the Future” trilogy, whether they would switch roles and the best places to time travel to. Despite the films’ age, the movies continue to stoke the imaginations of young viewers. Thompson admitted that four generations of her family have watched the film together.

“Back in 1985, kids saw the movie. Then they grew up and showed their kids the movie,” Lloyd said. “It’s a cycle that went on and on.”

It was an unintended hit, Fox revealed. None of the actors had been contracted for sequels, and they hadn’t expected two more films to follow. The complexity in the script and the direction genius made it powerful, he said.

“Imagining yourself in another time is a universal fantasy everyone has,” Lloyd added. “You wish you could be in the future or the past. It appeals to that very human wish.”

Fox also fielded questions about Parkinson’s Disease, which he was diagnosed with in 1991, while his hands shook as he gestured, and he tapped a foot incessantly. Optimism makes the difference, he said — though it doesn’t help his smartphone photo-taking abilities.

“Things become harder to do. It is a progressive disease,” he said. “I just take note of it and try to get around it. A thing I often say is, ‘You imagine the worst case scenario and you obsess about it, you lose twice.’ You can get caught up in the difficulties of it, but I try not to dwell. I smile and try to get through my day.”

The movie changed their lives for the better, each of the actors reiterated at different points. The sentiment was echoed by fans during an open question and answer session.

“I love stories about scientists who are able to imagine in a realm we can’t even begin to enter and come up with things like E=mc 2. There’s the excitement of discovery,” Lloyd said. “Doc tries things that don’t work. He makes a gadget to automatically feed dogs. The mentality to come up with things that are unfathomable to most people is priceless. This film has changed people’s lives and influenced them to become physicists or scientists. I think that’s one of the coolest things to be part of in a positive way.”

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email:ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn

Silicon Valley Comic Con: 5-9 p.m. Friday, March 18; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, March 19; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, March 20. $10-$99. San Jose Convention Center, 150 W. San Carlos St., San Jose. http://svcomiccon.com

Keep up to date with the Chronicle’s live blog here.