The Big Bang Theory has managed to attract a pretty epic lineup of guest stars over its ten seasons so far. Most of the guest stars' have serious sci-fi cred that led to appearances on the CBS comedy, coming from showbiz backgrounds that range from Star Wars to Star Trek. Now, the mega hit series has signed another huge genre name for a role on an upcoming episode, as Christopher Lloyd of Back to the Future fame will appear on The Big Bang Theory in the not-too-distant future.
Christopher Lloyd is confirmed as appearing in the Big Bang Theory episode that airs on December 1. No details are yet available about his role or the overall storyline, according to Variety. Judging by the standards set by other sci-fi celebrities who have dropped in on Sheldon and Co., there are a few possibilities for how Lloyd will be incorporated into the show.
One possibility is that Christopher Lloyd will appear as Christopher Lloyd, since many of the main characters of The Big Bang Theory are such big fans of all things science fiction that episodes can bring plenty of laughs just by putting them face-to-face with their idols. Who can forget when James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher turned up to represent the original Star Wars trilogy on primetime? Then, of course, there's Wil Wheaton; The Big Bang Theory wouldn't be the same if Wil Wheaton wasn't on board as Sheldon's former favorite Star Trek actor and current nemesis.
Another possibility is that Christopher Lloyd will play his Back to the Future character. The Big Bang Theory's dream sequences have over the years found ways to include actors back in costume as the roles that made them famous. Howard's fantasy that brought Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sakhoff and Star Trek's George Takei into his bedroom remains one of his most unforgettable scenes of the show to date, and the show could easily put Lloyd back in his Doc Brown costume for his appearance (something he did for the movie's anniversary last year). The Big Bang Theory boys are proven fans of the Back to the Future films, so it would make sense if one of them happened to have a dream that involved Doc Brown. Check out a clip of their Back to the Future 2 debate:
A third possibility is that Christopher Lloyd will actually play a character that has nothing to do with Back to the Future. Famed comedic actor Bob Newhart turned up in three episodes of The Big Bang Theory as Arthur Jeffries, not Bob Newhart. Christopher Lloyd could be playing an original Big Bang Theory character. If that's the case, we can almost certainly still count on some nods to Doc Brown. Maybe he'll light up a bulb with just his mouth, Uncle Fester-style.
Tune in to CBS on Thursday, December 1 at 8 p.m. ET to see Christopher Lloyd in action on The Big Bang Theory. A Big Bang spinoff prequel all about young Sheldon is in the works for a later date on CBS. Be sure to check out our midseason TV premiere schedule to see what else you'll be able to catch on the small screen in the near future.
