Demi Moore’s co-star Emilio Estevez reveals their iconic film St. Elmo’s Fire was a ‘nightmare’ to work on

Emilio Estevez blasted director Joel Schumacher as a ‘nightmare’ on the set of their iconic 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire.

The coming-of-age film which starred Estevez, 62, Demi Moore, and Rob Lowe may now be receiving the sequel treatment – but the actor is happy to leave his experience working with Schumacher in the past. 

Despite his unpleasant memories of the filmmaker, Estevez said the experience served as an invaluable lesson in how to not treat colleagues. 

During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Estevez claimed Schumacher was a ‘bully’ and a complete 180 from his Breakfast Club director John Hughes.

When asked about the worst note a director had ever given him, Emilio replied: ‘”Have a good f***ing time!” Screaming at the top of his lungs. Oh, here’s looking at you, Joel Schumacher!’

Estevez suffered a bit of whiplash working with the seemingly volatile director after being on the set with a ‘calm’ and patient Hughes earlier that year. 

Emilio Estevez blasted director Joel Schumacher as a ‘nightmare’ on the set of their iconic 1985 film St. Elmo’s Fire

Estevez has unpleasant memories of working with Joel Schumacher, pictured 2011, on St. Elmo’s Fire

‘So to go from John Hughes, who was collaborative, who was a mentor in many ways, who was calm, listened, to Joel, who was wildly insecure, and was a nightmare on set, and was a bully.

‘To have that happen in the same year was – and I vowed never to speak to my actors that way, if I ever got a chance to direct. In 1984, I thought, “This is the best lesson a young actor who wants to direct could ever get.” Thank you, Joel.’

St. Elmo’s Fire followed seven Georgetown University graduates and also starred Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy.

The film was dismally-reviewed but earned $37.8M from a $10M budget at the global box office.

Though Emilio didn’t enjoy working with Schumacher, Moore heaped praise on him for taking a chance on her and helping her remain sober in last year’s Brats documentary.

‘He really stuck his neck out for me because it’s not like I had any box office draw,’ she explained. 

‘We were all just beginning. I didn’t have anything to really warrant him sticking by me. They paid to have a sober companion with me 24/7 during the whole shooting.’

When Joel died at age 80 in 2020, Demi paid a gushing tribute to him and thanked him for helping her recover from her addiction struggles. 

Estevez starred opposite Ally Sheedy and Rob Lowe in the 1985 film

Emilio claimed Joel was ‘insecure’ and a ‘bully’ on the set of their film; pictured 2019

Moore posted to Instagram: ‘Working with Joel Schumacher on St. Elmo’s Fire was a pivotal moment in not just my career, but in my journey to recovery. 

‘Forever grateful for the tough love and the chance he took on me. His daring, dynamic spirit will be missed. Rest easy Joel.’

A St. Elmo’s Fire sequel appears to now be in the works, Lowe previously told Entertainment Tonight. 

The movie also starred Demi Moore, who has praised Joel and said he helped her get sober

St. Elmo’s Fire followed seven Georgetown University graduates and also starred Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy; pictured Moore and Andrew McCarthy

Last year Lowe revealed to the outlet that he has been developing a sequel for the film following the success of the Brats documentary.

‘The studio and I have been talking about doing it for about four months,’ the Parks and Rec actor explained. 

‘Brats has only added to the excitement around it. But it’s very, very, very, very, very early stages, so we will see.’

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