1985 Brat Pack Drama Might Be Getting a Sequel, Says Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe says a sequel to the classic coming-of-age drama St. Elmo's Fire is in the works.

On The Kelly Clarkson Show, Lowe confirmed that a script is in development as a follow-up to the Brat Pack film. Lowe said: "I'm trying to get it done, but I'm excited."

It has been over 40 years since St. Elmo's Fire was released in 1985.

"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."

Although St. Elmo's Fire received poor critical reception, the movie did well at the box office. The film grossed $37.8 million on a $10 million budget.

The film is a coming-of-age drama directed by Joel Schumacher. It starred Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andie MacDowell, and Mare Winningham. The story follows a friend group of recent Georgetown graduates as they adjust to life after college, marriage, and new adult responsibilities.

In 2009, Sony announced it was considering adapting the film into a television series, but it has remained in development for decades.

Last year, Lowe confirmed that the script was still being worked on. "We're working on the script, and it's really getting good," he said at the time.

Lowe believes that even though the characters are now all much older, there is still a story to be told that audiences need. "I think it's super valid to revisit those characters that continue to mean a lot to people and watch them navigate this chapter of life, because arguably this chapter of life is every bit as interesting and fraught as - 'What do I do when I get out of college?' "

Kelly Clarkson asked Lowe what a sequel might look like onscreen. He said interest is not the issue.

"Everyone wants to do it. We just need to get the script right, and that's what we're working on." In June 2024, Sony announced a legacy sequel was in the works, with each character reprising their roles from the original film. The announcement came after the successful documentaryBrats, which reunited the Brat Pack.

It was right before the release of St. Elmo's Fire that the "Brat Pack" was given its name. Writer David Blum coined the term while writing for New York Magazine. Blum met with the young stars of the film and watched them be mobbed by groupies outside the restaurant. This led him to compare them to the 1960s Rat Pack. "This is the Hollywood 'Brat Pack.' It is to the 1980s what the Rat Pack was to the 1960s-a roving band of famous young stars on the prowl for parties, women, and a good time. And just like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis Jr., these guys work together, too-they've carried their friendships over from life into the movies," Blum said.

Although there has always been debate over who was included in the Brat Pack, especially because Blum really only spoke about the boys, it most often includes Estevez, Molly Ringwald, McCarthy, Moore, Lowe, Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall, and Nelson. Notably, each of the five leads in The Breakfast Club was part of the group. From St. Elmo's Fire, Mare Winningham and Andie MacDowell were sometimes looped in since they were also young actors.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 2:14 PM.