A sequel to 1985’s St. Elmo’s Fire is being developed. Released in 1985, the Joel Schumacher-directed film featured an ensemble of then up-and-comers, including Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andie MacDowell and Mare Winningham. St. Elmo’s Fire saw the group of friends navigates their lives after graduating from Washington DC’s Georgetown University. Focusing on personal growth and relationships, it was a box office hit, earning a total of $37.8 million on a $10 million production budget, despite mostly negative reviews.

Despite the critical response to St. Elmo’s Fire, the film became a cult classic of the Brat Pack genre. Boosted by nostalgia, a sequel for the film has always sounded interesting. While Hollywood has leaned on established stories for either a revival or a reboot, it will be interesting to see where the characters in the film are now and how the past few decades shaped up for all of them. Luckily for those who have been hoping for a St. Elmo’s Fire follow-up, Lowe recently confirmed during his guest appearance in The Kelly Clarkson Show that he is still trying to get the project off the ground. He also revealed that the ensemble is open to reprising their respective roles, but they are still waiting to make sure that they have the right story for the sequel. Read the full quote below:
“I’m trying to get it done, but I’m excited. I think the reason that St. Elmo’s continues to mean a lot to people is because it’s such a great snapshot of your 20s.”
“Everyone wants to do it. We just need to get the script right, and that’s what we’re working on.”

Rob Lowe with two cigarettes in his mouth in St. Elmo’s Fire

For context, this isn’t the first time that there’s an attempt to continue St. Elmo’s Fire’s story. Back in 2009, Sony Pictures Television tried to expand the universe that it exists in with a new TV series that would have used the film as its story launching pad. However, instead of bringing back the original cast, like what Lowe is trying to do, the small screen endeavor would have introduced a new friend group to follow. Obviously, it failed to materialize. Admittedly, as beloved as the original film was, some aspects of St. Elmo’s Fire didn’t age well. It was such a product of its time, and as Lowe said, a perfect snapshot of what young adulthood was during that time. So much has changed since then, so it will be curious how the proposed sequel will consider that into its new storytelling. Aside from those who watched and loved the original film, the hope is also for the follow-up to resonate with modern audiences.

The fact that the sequel is in development is great news for those who were invested in the original. While it doesn’t seem like there’s a target release for the project, the fact that Lowe and his team are making sure that they’ll get the story right is better than rushing it. At the very least, everyone from the main cast has been receptive to the idea of coming back for St. Elmo’s Fire 2.

St. Elmo’s Fire

Release Date

June 28, 1985

Runtime

108 minutes

Director

Joel Schumacher

Writers

Carl Kurlander, Joel Schumacher

Emilio Estevez

Kirby Keger