Rob Lowe is giving fans an exciting update about the long-awaited St. Elmo’s Fire sequel, teasing that it’s well worth the wait and is coming together beautifully.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Lowe, 61, who famously played Billy Hicks, a saxophone-playing frat boy in the 1985 classic, shared some insights on the project and why revisiting the characters is so relevant today.
The Script is Coming Together
Lowe confirmed that work on the script for St. Elmo’s Fire 2 is well underway and that it’s shaping up to be something special. “We’re working on the script, and it’s really getting good,” Lowe said, expressing his enthusiasm for how the sequel is evolving.
He emphasized that the time is right to revisit the beloved characters, adding that the challenges of post-college life are still highly relevant.
“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,” Lowe explained. “Because arguably this chapter of life is every bit as interesting and fraught as — ‘What do I do when I get out of college?’”
Why the Sequel Makes Sense Now
The original St. Elmo’s Fire followed a group of recent graduates as they navigated the challenges of post-college life. For many fans, the movie became an iconic coming-of-age story that resonated deeply, making it a staple of the Brat Pack era.
Lowe’s excitement about returning to these characters stems from the idea that post-college life remains just as pivotal as the “what now?” phase portrayed in the original film.
The sequel’s potential to reflect on how these characters have evolved in their adult lives and face new challenges is something Lowe believes will strike a chord with both original fans and new generations.
A Star-Studded Cast
The original St. Elmo’s Fire was directed by Joel Schumacher and featured a star-studded cast of young actors from the 1980s Brat Pack—a group of actors who starred in several coming-of-age movies during that era.
Alongside Lowe, the movie featured Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andie MacDowell, and Mare Winningham. These actors became synonymous with 80s teen films, and many of them have expressed interest in returning for the sequel.
The Return of the Brat Pack
In June 2024, Deadline reported that the sequel is officially in development at Sony Pictures, although the project is still in its early stages. The news came shortly after Andrew McCarthy’s documentary Brats was released, which explores the Brat Pack era and films like The Breakfast Club and 16 Candles.
McCarthy himself has spoken about how the idea of a St. Elmo’s Fire sequel has been brought up often over the years.
“I think 30, 20, even 10 years ago, people would probably [have] said no,” McCarthy said in a previous interview. “But now I think, again, as you get older, you kind of look back on these things with a certain affection and there’s nothing to prove to anyone.”
What Fans Can Expect
While specific plot details are still under wraps, fans can expect to see how the St. Elmo’s Fire gang has matured and what their lives look like now, dealing with the complexities of adulthood, careers, relationships, and personal growth.
With Lowe’s involvement and enthusiasm, the sequel is shaping up to be a much-anticipated return to a film that defined a generation.
The Legacy of St. Elmo’s Fire
Originally released in 1985, St. Elmo’s Fire remains a beloved film in pop culture, with its themes of friendship, love, and the uncertainty of life after college. The film’s soundtrack and unforgettable characters helped cement its status as a touchstone for fans of 80s cinema.
The sequel, which promises to update the story for a new generation while staying true to the film’s spirit, has the potential to recapture the magic of the original while exploring new territory for the characters.
As fans eagerly await more news on St. Elmo’s Fire 2, it’s clear that the legacy of the Brat Pack is alive and well, with the promise of a sequel that will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
