NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The search is on for the iconic Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar that Marty McFly famously played in the classic film "Back to the Future." This quest comes four decades after the film's debut, as Gibson, the guitar's manufacturer, seeks the public's help in locating the missing prop.

In the original movie, McFly, portrayed by Michael J. Fox, grabbed the guitar during a pivotal scene at a 1950s high school dance. His performance helped him narrowly avoid erasing himself from existence before he time-traveled back to the 1980s. However, the guitar itself has not been as fortunate. Filmmakers attempted to find the instrument while working on the 1989 sequel, but it remains missing.

As part of the 40th-anniversary celebration, Gibson is producing a new documentary titled "Lost to the Future," which chronicles the search for the beloved prop. In a promotional video featuring the film's theme song, several stars from the movie, including Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Harry Waters Jr., make a heartfelt appeal for assistance.

Lloyd, channeling his character Doc Brown, humorously states in the video that the guitar has been "lost to the future." Fox adds, "It's somewhere lost in the space-time continuum, or it's in some Teamster's garage."

The guitar was central to a memorable scene where McFly steps in for an injured band member at the dance themed "Enchantment under the Sea." He plays the guitar while students sway to "Earth Angel" before leading Marvin Barry and the Starlighters in a rendition of "Johnny B. Goode." In a clever twist, McFly refers to the 1958 song as an oldie from his time, despite it not yet existing for his audience.

Fox has expressed his desire for McFly's performance to reflect the styles of his favorite guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix's behind-the-head technique, Pete Townshend's windmill strum, and Eddie Van Halen's hammer-on style. As McFly's riffs become increasingly wild, the students fall into an awkward silence. He quips, "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it."

As the search continues, fans of the film and music enthusiasts alike are encouraged to keep an eye out for the missing guitar, hoping to reunite it with its cinematic legacy.