Rob Lowe has finally confirmed that the “St. Elmo’s Fire” sequel is actually happening, even if it’s still a very long way from being finished.
During a “Watch What Happens Live” appearance on Sunday, the actor told host Alex Roe that the project is “definitely in the works, for sure.” He also said that all the actors involved want to do it, and that they’re supposed to get a draft of the script the first week of October.
The confirmation comes after years of vague talk and false dawns. Lowe’s statement is the clearest sign yet that the movie is moving forward, even if it’s still very, very, very, very, very early stages.
Lowe’s October Deadline
Lowe’s comments on Sunday were the most direct he has been about the sequel. He said the actors all want to do it, which is notable given the long history of the project.
The first week of October draft deadline is the key detail. It suggests the writers have a plan and are working toward a deliverable. Lowe didn’t say who is writing the script, but the fact that there is a deadline means the project isn’t just talk.
The deadline also gives the project a concrete marker. Instead of waiting for news to trickle out, fans now have a specific moment to watch for: the first week of October, when a draft should be delivered. That’s a much clearer signal than the vague “conversations are happening” that cast members have offered in the past.
The Long Road to Now
The “St. Elmo’s Fire” sequel was first announced in 2024. Since then, the cast has been mostly supportive, but the project has moved slowly.
Lowe told Entertainment Tonight that year that he’d “met with the studio” and had “been talking about doing it for about four months.” He also said, “But it’s very, very, very, very, very early stages,” adding, “So we will see.”
Demi Moore, Lowe’s co-star from the original, also weighed in that same year. She said that “conversations are happening” around the sequel and that discussions were underway with Sony, the studio behind the original film.
Moore said the studio was “really behind [and] driving this,” though they were still “looking for the right partner” to write it. That matches Lowe’s own description of the project being in very early stages.
The Script Deadline Explained
The October deadline is the clearest sign that the project has momentum. A draft deadline implies a writer attached and a plan in motion. It’s not a green light, but it’s a step beyond the vague “conversations are happening” that Moore described.
Lowe didn’t say who is writing the script, but the deadline suggests the studio has settled on a path. Whether that path leads to a finished film remains to be seen.
The draft deadline also sets a timeline. After October, fans will know whether the project has crossed the line from talk to actual writing. If the script doesn’t arrive, the project may still be alive, but it would lose some of its momentum. If it does arrive, it will mark a real milestone.
What the Original Film Was About
For readers who haven’t followed the saga closely, here’s a quick refresher on the original “St. Elmo’s Fire.”
The 1985 film starred Lowe alongside Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson and others. Joel Schumacher directed and co-wrote the script with Carl Kurlander.
The movie followed a group of young adults navigating love, ambition and adult responsibility. It became a beloved film and launched the careers of many of its stars.
The NBC Series Attempt
There have been other attempts to bring the story back. In 2019, Variety reported that NBC was developing a series adaptation of the film. Josh Berman had been attached to write and executive produce, along with Chris King.
That series was described as a modern adaptation of the film that showcased a group of close friends struggling with career, commitment and the responsibilities of adulthood.
The Cast’s Support
Lowe’s statement on Sunday suggests the majority of the cast is on board. He said “all of us actors want to do it,” which implies a group consensus.
The October draft deadline adds weight to that enthusiasm. If the script arrives, fans will know the project has passed the talk stage and moved into the writing phase.
It’s worth noting that Lowe’s statement was made during a live television appearance. That setting, with a host asking questions and an audience watching, provides a public platform for Lowe to confirm the project’s status. The fact that he spoke so directly about the sequel suggests he wanted to put the matter to rest.
The Timeline of Announcements
- 2019: NBC develops a series adaptation, attached writers Josh Berman and Chris King
- 2024: Sequel first announced, Lowe meets with the studio
- Same year: Demi Moore says conversations are happening with Sony
- Sunday: Lowe confirms the sequel is “definitely in the works”
- First week of October: Deadline for the script draft to be delivered
The story of the “St. Elmo’s Fire” sequel has been a slow burn for years. Now it finally has a deadline.
Key Facts Box
– Film: “St. Elmo’s Fire” (1985)
– Sequel announced: First announced in 2024
– Original cast: Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson
– Director: Joel Schumacher
– Writer: Joel Schumacher and Carl Kurlander
– NBC series attempt: Announced 2019, attached writers Josh Berman and Chris King
– Deadline: Draft due the first week of October
For now, fans can hold onto the hope that the sequel will happen. Just don’t expect it to arrive anytime soon.
Source material: “Rob Lowe Says ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ Sequel Is Still ‘In the Works,’ Confirms There’s a Script: ‘All of Us Actors Want to Do It’,” Variety.
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