February 15, 2012 11:39

Back To The Future hoverboard to be released for Christmas 2012

However, the item will only be made if enough pre-orders are put through

Toy manufacturer Mattel are apparently set to release a replica of the hoverboard from the Back To The Future sequels in time for Christmas 2012.

The release was announced at the New York Toy Fair last weekend and there will be a limited pre-order for the item next month, reports Slash Film. However, the item will only go into production if enough pre-orders are made, because of costing.

The official press release for the toy admits that the board will not actually hover, but 'glide' over surfaces. It says: "This totally awesome 1:1 replica of the hoverboard from the BTTF 2 and BTTF 3 films includes multiple whooshing sounds and will glide over most surfaces (does not actually 'hover' – check back in 2015 for that feature)."

The release continues: "We’ll be taking orders for it March 1 – March 20, 2012, and the final product will be shipped around November/December 2012. Because this is such a high-cost item, there will be a minimum number of orders required to go into production. If we don't receive the minimum orders, won't go into production and customers will not be charged. The price will be announced later this month."

Meanwhile, a musical version of Back To The Future is apparently set to be made. Deadline – via the AV Club – has reported that the original director of the cult 1985 sci-fi movie, Robert Zemeckis, is on board, as is screenwriter Bob Gale, who wrote the film with Zemeckis. Composer Alan Silvestri is also working on the new stage production.