ABC to Re-Light St. Elmo's Fire
According to The Hollywood Reporter, after strong interest from multiple networks, ABC landed the dramedy series project, exec produced by Schumacher, Topher Grace, Dan Bucatinsky and Jamie Tarses and to be written by Bucatinsky.
St. Elmo's Fire has received a script commitment with a penalty attached to it, and hails from Sony Pictures TV, whose feature sibling owns the rights to the original movie.
That film, co-written and directed by Schumacher, was one of the defining movies of the Brat Pack genre. It starred Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham as friends who had just graduated from Georgetown University and chronicled their adjustment to adulthood.
"More than anything, the movie evokes a feeling that doesn't go away," Bucatinsky said, "the feeling of bonding with your friends who become your surrogate family."
Added Grace, "It's the feeling of that time in your life when everything is possible but you can't figure out how to make it possible."
The series version will use the movie as a takeoff point and as an inspiration as it introduces six new friends: three boys and three girls.
What will remain is the setting -- Georgetown and St. Elmo's Bar & Restaurant, now called St. Elmo's Bar & Grill, where the friends hang out. And if the set-up looks a little bit like Friends, that's OK with Bucatinsky.
"I feel it is time to re-create Friends in the hourlong genre and feel like this is the perfect opportunity," he said.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter
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Messenger
I do see your point but saying a severely flawed movie is brilliant, is a contradiction. If you enjoyed the movie that's great. But don't contradict yourself. I like a bunch of movies that aren't that great but I know they are bad movies.
And I honestly don't watch movies for flaws, I'm not that lame but when the flaws just smack you in the face ever other scene it's hard ignore them.
I liked TBC a lot but it's one of many movies like SEF and Gardenstate that are character driven movies where nothing really happens. It just filled with talking heads. I love a good character driven movie but when the progress of the story is only pushed by dialog it just makes it weak.
In writing you have inner and outter conlficts and if written well the two weave together but with straight character driven movies you lose that physical struggle that should accompany the emotional struggle so by the end you feel and the character feels that something has been accomplished.
4 years agoby @messengerFlag
Mushy
The problem with you is that you are watching movies for flaws and not just watching movies.
The overreaching themes of that film are universal and important to the human experience.
When I was 11 and I saw that movie I was disappointed. I wanted THE BREAKFAST CLUB. Same thing happened with FANDANGO which starred Judd Nelson.
Years later, I realize that ST. ELMO'S FIRE, while flawed, is brilliant. Same with FANDANGO.
In 25 years, I am sure you will feel the same way.
-The Mash
4 years agoby @mushyFlag
Messenger
Yes, I'm a moron because I can call out bad writing and directing when I see it.That scene where they try to get the girl out of the room before she commits suicide by way of freezing to death was absurd. While everyone was at the giant barred up window they decide to go down the street to get a cutting torch, then one of them finally has the bright of idea of KICKING IN THE DOOR. That's just one scene out of many that were horrid.
4 years agoby @messengerFlag
Mushy
I am very excited about this. Messenger, you are a moron.
4 years agoby @mushyFlag
Messenger
This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Every scene left me wondering "WTF".
4 years agoby @messengerFlag
Mutant
I thought Friends was a spin off from Mad About You, and Joey spin offed into his own series. I wouldn't be surprised if Mad About You spin offed from Elmo's Fire.
4 years agoby @zenderFlag