40 years later, a St. Elmo’s Fire the sequel is almost underway.
Few things embody 1980s Hollywood better than the iconic Brat Pack.
The recent Hulu Brat Pack Documentary, bratshad many nostalgic swells of that indelible era. This includes the film where the actors (partly) earned their collective label: St. Elmo’s Fire.
Now, one of the biggest media companies on the planet is investigating what a sequel to St. Elmo’s Fire might look like.
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 9 Emilio Estevez in September 2019.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_emilioestevez_01-1024x701.jpg)
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 10 Emilio Estevez in September 2019.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_emilioestevez_01-1024x701.jpg)
‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ helped define a generation of young actors
Literally, St. Elmo’s Fire refers to an atmospheric phenomenon involving plasma. Also known as witch firewhich is frankly a much cooler name, the remarkable visual effect served as both a warning and a positive omen for sailors.
The 1985 film of the same name follows a group of recent Georgetown graduates navigating early adulthood. Sexuality, relationships, responsibility, and more intertwine among a group of friends in the coming-of-age classic.
Apparently, St. Elmo’s Fire takes its name from a bar featured in the film, St. Elmo’s. However, the impending changes as this group of friends undergoes sudden changes have symbolic links to a visible flash of plasma during a thunderstorm that usually heralds lightning. It also resonated with countless young adult viewers.
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 11 Demi Moore in June 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_demimoore_01-683x1024.jpg)
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 12 Demi Moore in June 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_demimoore_01-683x1024.jpg)
According to a June 2024 report by Deadline, Sony is exploring a potential St. Elmo’s Fire continuation.
However, there would be one critical element to making a sequel worthwhile after a four-decade wait: reuniting the original cast.
That would mean Andrew McCarthy, Emilio EstevezRob Lowe, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham would need to sign.
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 13 Rob Lowe in May 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_roblowe_01-1024x683.jpg)
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 14 Rob Lowe in May 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_roblowe_01-1024x683.jpg)
Does ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ need a sequel?
Very few movies “need” a sequel. But to be honest, historically few movies have had enough cast members alive to create a sequel 40 years later without recasting.
Sequels can take many forms. Some catch up with the original characters. Others focus on a new generation. Many of the original characters—people who were in their twenties in 1895—could easily be grandparents now.
This has a lot of potential appeal, especially for people who enjoyed the surprise summer hit in 1985 and identified with the characters. That said, sometimes considering the weight of how much time has passed can hit people like a very depressing wrecking ball.
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 15 Judd Nelson in July 2019.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_juddnelson_01-717x1024.jpg)
!['St. Elmo's Fire' Sequel in the Works Following Brat Pack Documentary 16 Judd Nelson in July 2019.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0701_juddnelson_01-717x1024.jpg)
However, like many — including Deadline — they pointed out, the sequel potential here is intriguing.
And it’s certainly a lot more interesting than a remake. Remakes have their place — there are plenty of classic films that have been censored harshly or simply didn’t have the budget or effects to live up to their potential. But… not everything needs a remake, just as not everything needs a sequel.
If one St. Elmo’s Fire the sequel is actually going to happen, they’re going to need everyone on board. A movie couldn’t get away with so many absences without people wondering why they bothered.
Why the sudden interest in 80s movies?
One could write essays about the (perhaps misguided) fixation on the 1980s. Every generation seems to fixate on past eras—or at least on their aesthetics and media from that era. Maybe it’s part of human nature.
However, there is little doubt that Andrew McCarthy brats documentary on Hulu, which was released last spring, has reignited a lot of interest.
Still, whether the cast and potential viewers are interested or not, we shouldn’t get too excited. This is a volatile time for the entertainment industry. Many interesting projects never see the light of day.