Emilio Estevez’s recent comments shed new light on the behind-the-scenes atmosphere of St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), particularly calling out director Joel Schumacher as a “bully” and “a nightmare on set.” In his interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Estevez contrasted Schumacher’s volatile behavior with the calm and collaborative style of John Hughes, who directed him in The Breakfast Club the same year.
Estevez described an environment marked by tension and shouting, sharing that Schumacher once screamed, “Have a good f**king time!” at him during filming. That experience made such a mark on Estevez that he committed to treating actors with respect when he later moved into directing.
Schumacher, who passed away in 2020, was known for a wide range of films, from The Lost Boys (1987) to the much-criticized Batman & Robin (1997), and has had a controversial legacy when it comes to working relationships—similar sentiments have been echoed by other actors, including Val Kilmer.
Despite the off-screen drama, St. Elmo’s Fire went on to become a box office success, solidifying its place in the 1980s “Brat Pack” canon alongside The Breakfast Club.
Estevez’s appearance at C2E2 with his Breakfast Club co-stars was a rare and emotional reunion that celebrated the film’s 40th anniversary and helped dispel long-standing rumors about alleged friction between cast members.
