Summary
Joel Schumacher’s 1985 filmSt. Elmo’s Fireis one of the two core films responsible for the Brat Pack ensemble. Focusing on the unique situations experienced by seven young adults in university, the film needed quite a few recognizable young actors to cover all its bases. Schumacher sought advice from director John Hughes, who was building a name for himself writing and directing teen-centric dramatic comedies. He had several references for Schumacher, andthree of the seven actors ultimately cast inSt. Elmo’s Firealso appeared in Hughes’ 1985 filmThe Breakfast Club.
Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, and Judd Nelson (or, the athlete, the basket case, and the criminal, respectively) appeared in both films. They subsequently became the core ofthe teen star-studded Brat Pack. Even though there were four more roles available inSt. Elmo’s Fire, there weretwo actors fromThe Breakfast Clubthat were not brought over: Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall – the princess and the brain. While their absence may seem like a snub, there’s a good reason the pair weren’t involved.
10 Best Films Featuring The Cast Of St. Elmo’s Fire
St. Elmo’s Fire was a box office success and loved by fans of the “Brat Pack” of 1980s film fame. Here are 10 other films where you’re able to find the cast.
Molly Ringwald & Anthony Michael Hall Were Still In High School During St. Elmo’s Fire
TheirBreakfast ClubCo-Stars Were Much Older
Since so much ofThe Breakfast Clubhappens in a single room, it relies heavily on the acting chops of all of its young performers. The cast — including Ringwald and Hall — were cited by critics as being central to the appeal of the beloved film. They were certainly good enough forSt. Elmo’s Fire. The problem was largely due to their age.Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall were just 17 when it was released, even thoughThe Breakfast Clubis actually rated R. They were in grade school when the similarly R-ratedSt. Elmo’s Firewas in production.
Age of the Brat Pack in 1985
23
17
21
Mare Winningham
26
St. Elmo’s Firehad grittier subject matter to show, not just talk about. As the characters were a few years out of high school — and out of detention — this increased the amount of adult content happening onscreen. There is a fair quantity of drinking, strong language, sex, and cocaine use in the film,which would have been deemed inappropriate for young Hall and Ringwald. Also, they would have seemed noticeably younger than their costars, and it might have hurt their believability.
Many Casting Choices Are Still Made Using This Concept
Of those who did appear in both, Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy were both 23, and Judd Nelson was 21, which is more in line with the characters' ages inSt. Elmo’s Fire. Retrospectively, this information affectsThe Breakfast Club’s story. The fact thatthe athlete and the basket-case were six years olderthan their teenage costars undoubtedly alters their dynamic. However, many films in the 1980s cast actors in their twenties to play characters in their teens. It would be equally strange to see a film with jaded university students being played by actors not yet out of high school.
Teenage actors are not allowed to work as many hours in a day as adults. Their parents or guardians must always be on set, and there are strict regulations on having child actors in scenes with sex or drugs.
There were also practical issues when considering whether to involve the rest ofThe Breakfast Clubcast. Teenage actors are not allowed to work as many hours as adults. Their parents or guardians must always be on set, and there are strict regulations on having child actors in scenes with sex or drugs.Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Mare Winningham, andfuture star Demi Moorewere all in their twentieswhen they were cast in the four remaining roles. Like Estevez, Sheedy, and Nelson, they were much closer in age to the scripted characters inSt. Elmo’s Fire.As such, they were a better choice than Ringwald and Hall.
St. Elmo’s Fire
Cast
A group of close-knit college graduates navigates the challenges of adulthood, balancing careers, relationships, and personal growth. Amidst the backdrop of their favorite bar, they confront their fears, ambitions, and the complexities of growing up, discovering the true meaning of friendship and resilience.
