Rob Lowe is ready to bring back the Brat Pack — and he thinks now is the perfect time to do it.
The 61-year-old actor, who played the rebellious and saxophone-slinging Billy Hicks in the iconic 1985 coming-of-age drama St. Elmo’s Fire, has confirmed that a sequel is officially in the works — and according to him, the timing couldn’t be better.
“We’re working on the script, and it’s really getting good,” Lowe told People Magazine.
“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 is every bit as interesting and fraught as — ‘What do I do when I get out of college?’”
⸻
What Happened in the Original?
The original St. Elmo’s Fire, directed by the late Joel Schumacher, followed a tight-knit group of college graduates trying to figure out adulthood in 1980s Washington D.C. The film became a generational staple and helped define the era’s legendary Brat Pack—a group of rising stars that included Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andie MacDowell, and Mare Winningham.
⸻
Why a Sequel Now?
Talk of a sequel has been brewing for years. In fact, Andrew McCarthy, who played idealistic writer Kevin Dolenz, once said the idea of a follow-up is often discussed.
“I think 30, 20, even 10 years ago, people would probably have said no,” he shared. “But now, as you get older, you kind of look back on these things with a certain affection.”
McCarthy also expressed interest in reconnecting with his co-stars, adding:
“It’s been so long ago, and yet we’re still so indelibly linked. I’d love to see all of them again and sit down and be like, ‘Dude, what was that?’”
⸻
Sony’s Involvement and What to Expect
In June 2024, Deadline reported that a sequel was officially in early development at Sony Pictures, though details on the plot have been kept under wraps.
Lowe’s comments now suggest the script is evolving and that the story will focus on where these beloved characters are decades later, facing life’s new questions: aging, family, loss, legacy, and friendship.
If the first film asked, “What comes after college?”, this one may ask, “What comes after everything else?”
⸻
A Nostalgic Return Worth Watching
For fans of the original, this could be the kind of heartfelt, reflective continuation that brings the story full circle. Whether you’re a Brat Pack loyalist or a newcomer to St. Elmo’s Fire, the sequel promises to be more than a reunion — it could be a powerful new chapter.
So dust off your saxophones and trench coats — St. Elmo’s Fire might be lighting up again soon.
