Back to the Future - 40th Anniversary Poster
Honoured to design and illustrate the new official poster art for Back to the Future’s 40th Anniversary. Immense thanks to Bob Gale and David C. Fein for their unwavering support, and to the incredible team at Universal Pictures. As a lifelong BTTF fan, it's a dream realised—especially having previously crafted the 30th Anniversary artwork. This project allowed me to continue celebrating the timeless magic of a franchise that has inspired generations.
The original design by Drew Struzan is nothing short of iconic—a masterclass in visual storytelling. Rather than challenge such an eloquent creation, my approach was to explore territory the franchise hadn’t fully embraced before: the montage poster. This format serves as a nostalgia trip, weaving together cherished moments and key characters to evoke the magic that first drew audiences in.
The goal was clear—rekindle that excitement, stir dormant memories, and ultimately, get fans ‘back to the theater’. By layering evocative imagery in a dynamic composition, the poster becomes more than just an advertisement; it’s a celebration of the original film’s enduring legacy, crafted to resonate deeply with both longtime fans and new viewers alike. The result is a bold homage that honours the past while bringing back the shared excitement for such a well loved and enduring 80’s classic.
Read the Press Release here: https://paulshipperstudio.com/blog/bttf40
Early Development Designs
Back to the Future 40th Anniversary logo design concept
Minimalistic Teaser Poster Style
Originally had George and Lorraine in their Happily-Ever-After moment, along with the skateboard chase and utilising the original billing block from the old movie poster.