Rob Lowe Gives An Update On ‘St. Elmo’s Fire 2’ Script He’s Currently Developing: “What’s That Gang Going Through Today?”
Rob Lowe, beloved member of the Brat Pack, has been hard at work on a script for the long-awaited sequel for St. Elmo’s Fire, the 1985 coming-of-age film that follows a group of recent college graduates as they navigate early adulthood. The movie also stars Brat Packers Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy — and, according to Lowe, “all the actors are going to come back” for the sequel.
Lowe, who caught up with DECIDER via Zoom to chat about his long-standing partnership with Atkins, said the film would follow a similar format as the original St. Elmo’s Fire. The only difference? Those same beloved characters, who viewers got to know and love when they were first introduced as young graduates in their early 20s, are going to be about 40 years older and dealing with the same types of things people in their 50s and 60s deal with.
“I’m very curious to explore those characters that are so cool and people like so much, but going through the things that people of their age would go through, like we did when they were getting out of college,” he explained. “It’s no different. It’s the same thing. It’s like, what’s that gang going through today?”
St. Elmo’s Fire, which was directed by Joel Schumacher, had a rather open-ended final scene, with Lowe’s Billy Hicks putting his “frat boy” days behind him and moving to New York to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician. Because of that, figuring out where Billy would be today has been a bit of a challenge for Lowe.
“He’s such a wild card, really,” he said. “I mean, he could have gone any way in life. [He] could’ve ended up in prison, could’ve ended up a rock star. I mean, [he] could be sober, you just don’t know. So it’s been hard to find that choice, but I think we’re circling it.”
The actor also spoke to us about his favorite Atkins product (hint: it includes peanut butter and chocolate), how he came to terms with the iconic “Brat Pack” title, and what it’s like working with his son John Owen Lowe. Check out the full interview below.
DECIDER: I want to start with some chat about Atkins, which you have really become the face of over the years. What initially drew you to this partnership?
ROB LOWE: The products. I remember the first time I had one of the shakes, and I was trying to find a great protein shake, high protein, low carbs, just help me cheat when I want a real milkshake, and don’t want one. And it was so good, I was like, “This has to be BS. There’s no way. This thing’s amazing.” So then when they came to me, I was like, “I already use this stuff. It’s amazing.” And what I love about it is that over the years, the partnership has become, we’ve become so synonymous with each other and whenever I’m out in the world, people are like, “I lost 20 pounds or I was training for a triathlon, and I just had them hand me an Atkins while I was on the run.” And I just love the way people have integrated it into their lives like I have.
Given your partnership with Atkins, how do you feel about this age of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs? Why should people choose Atkins over that option?
It’s not an either or, for sure. It’s not an either or, because those GLP-ones definitely work. And for a lot of people, they’re saving people’s lives. I mean, people struggle with real obesity. I think it might be one of the No. 1 health issues in the country. So they’re a godsend, but you don’t want to be on them forever. And so how do you maintain those results? And you maintain them with healthy choices, and Atkins is and has always been one of those great healthy choices. So I think it’s actually a great marriage .
I would love to get into a little bit of your legacy and your work, if that’s okay with you. Last year, you reunited with Andrew McCarthy for his Brats documentary and you seemed the most at peace with the terminology of Brat Pack, despite the “mean-spirited” intention of it. You acknowledged that perhaps without the Brat Pack, we wouldn’t have these teen movies, shows, The CW. When did you have that a-ha moment?
It’s like anything else. As you age, you get more and more and more perspective. So I think it’s been an incremental thing because, you know, at the beginning, I didn’t like being lumped together with a sort of snide catch all any more than anybody else did. But as you say, I now know that it’s a great thing to have. How many packs are there? There’s the rat pack, you know? Who’s our Sinatra, who’s our Dean Martin? I’m glad that people loved that documentary as much as they did. I was shocked at how that penetrated the consciousness in a time when it’s super hard to do it. It just shows that there’s a lot of love for that.
Absolutely, and it transcends generations too. I mean, my parents and I get to watch these movies together, like St. Elmo’s Fire, and it’s such a great bonding experience.
Amazing. Well, we’re trying to make St. Elmo’s Fire 2. And so you’ve got to bring your parents out to the theaters when that happens.
Of course! I was going to ask which of your movies you’d want to do a sequel for, but St. Elmo’s Fire 2 is in the works!
It’s in the works. We’re developing the script. All the actors are going to come back. It’s really kind of the perfect thing, because I’m very curious to explore those characters that are so cool and people like so much, but going through the things that people of their age would go through, like we did when they were getting out of college. It’s no different. It’s the same thing. It’s like, what’s that gang going through today? I think it’s super valid.
Do you know where you would like to see Billy today?
Oh, I know exactly. It’s funny. Certain characters have been easier to plot out than others. And Billy has been one that’s been more difficult than some. Because he’s such a wild card, really. I mean, he could have gone any way in life. [He] could’ve ended up in prison, could’ve ended up a rock star. I mean, [he] could be sober, you just don’t know. So it’s been hard to find that choice, but I think we’re circling it.
I also recently did a rewatch of The Outsiders, which I believe was your first film, and it’s now a musical on Broadway. I know 14-year-olds who tell me it’s their favorite movie. This can be said about a lot of your work, but what’s it like to be a part of something that still holds up so well?
It’s a blessing. I mean, every year there’s another group of 14-year-olds that get exposed to that movie and those actors, all of us. And to have 14-year-old fans is just an unbelievable blessing. And we owe it to the longevity of Essie Hinton’s amazing book that just continues to live in people’s hearts.
You also worked with Patrick Swayze on that movie. You worked with him on Youngblood. I know you’ve been asked a lot about working with him over the years. Do you feel like you’re helping his legacy live on through your stories?
We did a documentary on Patrick, and I was happy to be a part of it, because he was a really unique, one-of-a-kind man, both as an actor and his spirit and charisma. He was literally a person who could do anything. He was a rodeo champion. He was a ballet dancer. So there’s two sides of the coin there. He could do comedy, he could do drama. So it’s fun to be a part of a guy who I think is one of Hollywood’s great originals.
Absolutely. And your friend Demi Moore was nominated for an Oscar for her work in The Substance earlier this year. What did you think of that movie and what was it like to see a Brat Packer get recognized by the Academy?
Demi has always been an amazing actor. I think her work in Ghost, her work in A Few Good Men, her work in About Last Night that we did together. Unfortunately, when we came up, they weren’t giving Oscars out to young people. They just weren’t doing it. You were not going to get an Oscar for your first, second, third movie in our day. Because I think some of those movies today would get that kind of recognition. So I’m glad it’s finally happening and she certainly deserves it. That movie was so original. I loved it. I thought it was fantastic, and I was so excited for her.
Kind of switching gears, but Joan Vassos from The Golden Bachelorette said she was an extra in St. Elmo’s Fire and has had the biggest celebrity crush on you ever since she met you on set. Are you part of Bachelor Nation? What did you think about her saying that? I did see the little response you gave on Instagram.
I did. My contribution to Bachelor Nation was that my half-brother, Micah, was an editor on I think at least five seasons of The Bachelor. So I would always get the inside scoop, but I thought that that was super sweet that she gave me that shout out.
I do want to fast forward to a more recent project of yours, Unstable, which you created and starred in with your son, John Owen. I was so upset when it was canceled after two seasons. How do you think Ellis Dragon’s presidential campaign would have gone in season three? And is there any chance we’ll see the two of you working together again in the near future?
Well, thank you. I loved doing that show. And so did Johnny. I’m really proud of it. It’s still on Netflix, if folks haven’t seen it. I’m really proud of it. Well, John Owen has gone on to sell a new TV series to Amazon and it’s got one of the greatest parts I’ve ever read. It’s a 50-year-old guy, great part. And he’s told me that I can’t play it. He says, “Dad, it’s time for me to spread my wings.” Don’t you love it? Paid for this kid’s college. Supported him all the way. Now he’s written one of the greats, sold it to Amazon in a bidding war. And now look at me. Look at me. So I said, “You go ahead and get your fancy people. I’ll be around when you guys come crashing back to reality, and then I’ll be charging you double.”
You both have such hilarious banter. I saw he gave you another John Stamos birthday post a few months ago. Is that banter one of the things you value most about your relationship with him?
I’m so lucky with both my boys. My other son, Matthew, who’s in finance, runs our family office and we work together on a bunch of stuff in that world. And then in my day job creatively, I get to work with Johnny. We’re developing two movies together that we are going to do together. And it’s a dream for a parent to work with their kids. It’s an absolute dream, unless, of course, it’s Succession. And then maybe it’s not so much a dream.
You’re neighbors with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and they’re constantly in the news. What are the pros and cons of living in the same town as them?
Well, I lived in Santa Barbara, Montecito for 31 years. It’s ‘been a long time and it was a very sleepy town when I moved there. It was me, Kenny Loggins, Jeff Bridges, and I think Robert Mitchum was still alive. That was the extent of it. And over the years, lots of folks … Oprah moved up and that was earth-shaking, when Oprah moved. I mean, earth-shaking. And then 10 or 15 years went by and Megan and Harry moved up. And that’s brought a lot of attention. So, but every 15 years we get some interlopers shaking things up and good. It makes, it makes things interesting. Makes our sleepy little town a little more, a little more interest.
I can’t let you go without bringing up the 9-1-1 universe. Now that ABC has greenlit 9-1-1 Nashville, if the opportunity presented itself, would you be open to appearing on the show as Owen Strand in some capacity?
Well, I’ll have to ask Chad Lowe, my brother. See, all my family are gatekeepers to my own future business now. Chad Lowe is the executive producer, director of 9-1-1 Nashville. And so I’m just waiting for my phone to ring. I mean, you know, I hired him on Lone Star. I mean, I think turnabout is fair play.
9-1-1 fans were shocked by the show killing off Peter Krause’s character Bobby Nash in season 8. Where do you think the show goes from there and can it maintain the fan base without its favorite captain?
I know. Krause is one of my favorite actors. He was spectacular on that show, irreplaceable. But Tim Minear, who writes the show, who wrote my show as well, I think did a really smart thing. It’s kind of like a baseball team. You know what it’s like? I’ll tell you what it’s like. It’s like the Pittsburgh Pirates right now. They better trade Paul Skenes, their best player. It’ll hurt them in the short term, but it’ll help them in the long run. Sometimes you have to shake it up, or a show or a team just incrementally fades away. And boy, did they shake it up. So I’m bullish on it.
I do want to round back to Atkins before I let you go. Do you have a favorite product, and is there anything else you can recommend for people starting on this health journey?
Yeah, so here’s what I do and it’s worked great for me. This sort of Atkins Lifestyle sort of helps me stay on top of my health and wellness goals even when I’m crazy, crazy busy. So like, even during the summertime, I stick to this high protein, low carb approach and I will keep in my car my chocolate peanut butter bar. I’ll keep it in my backpack for meetings. If I’m feeling a craving at night, because I get this sweet tooth, really gnarly sweet, sugar sweet tooth at night. It’s just the difference between an Atkins shake and God forbid a Haagen-Dazs. It’s kind of like the secret, the magic bullet for me.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
