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‘The Breakfast Club’ Cast Reunites After Decades at Chicago Comic Con
Detention is back in session as the celebrated ensemble of “The Breakfast Club” – Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez, and Ally Sheedy – reconvened on Saturday during a panel discussion at the C2E2 convention in Chicago. This momentous occasion marked the first public reunion for all five actors since the coming-of-age, cult classic film premiered in 1985.
Emotional Reunion for the Iconic Cast
“I feel truly emotional and touched to have us all together,” Ringwald, 57, expressed to the audience during the panel, which was moderated by Josh Horowitz for a live recording of his “Happy Sad Confused” podcast.
Ringwald further highlighted that this particular pop culture gathering was the first instance Estevez, 62, had participated in a cast reunion. “We no longer need to resort to the cardboard cutout because he’s actually here,” she quipped, adding, “It deeply moves me that we are all present.”
Estevez on the Film’s Enduring Legacy
“I avoided all my high school reunions, so this felt like something I finally needed to experience, purely for myself,” Estevez revealed. “However, this one felt especially significant because it’s taking place in Chicago, where we filmed the movie, it’s the 40th anniversary, and I simply adore all of them, making it feel like the right time.”
Estevez also commented on the enduring appeal of the movie, directed by the late John Hughes, stating that it “is one of those films that withstands the passage of time.”
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Remembering John Hughes’ Impact
Nelson, 65, reminisced about Hughes, who passed away in 2009, recalling that he “was sincere when he encouraged us to contribute to the filmmaking process. He appreciated us, and I was unaware how unusual it would be for a director to genuinely like actors.”
Hall, 56, concurred, adding that “nobody matches that. No one has come close” to replicating their experience collaborating with Hughes.
Hughes’ Legacy and the Passage of Time
“His death was deeply impactful for me, because it feels like the work will always be in a cycle leaning in one direction,” Nelson elaborated. “We needed him to counterbalance that, as Hughes explained the differences between youth and age to us. Now is the moment for him to demonstrate where we converge in the end, because we are all older now, but that opportunity is lost, which is saddening. However, in a sense, Hughes has been instructing us to ‘Think for yourself.'”
Sheedy, 62, shared with the audience the close bonds formed among the cast during filming. “I believe it’s evident that we genuinely cherish each other. It was a dream,” she stated. “A joyous journey.”
Could “The Breakfast Club” Be Made Today?
The stars of the beloved movie also considered whether “The Breakfast Club” could be produced in the current cinematic landscape.
Estevez posited, “Contemporary films are concept-driven, not character-driven, and John’s brilliance lay in prioritizing characters. If you contemplate pitching this movie today – it’s about five teenagers confined in a library all day in detention – studio executives would promptly escort you out and inquire about monsters, car chases, and elaborate special effects.”
He continued, “It’s also crucial to remember that we created this film for $1 million, which, while substantial at the time, was not considered a significant tentpole movie by Universal’s standards. There was considerable risk involved, but by today’s standards, I doubt this movie would ever get greenlit.”
No Sequel in Sight
The group collectively agreed that they would not pursue a sequel out of reverence for Hughes’ vision.
“Personally, I don’t endorse remaking that movie,” Ringwald asserted, “because I believe its essence is deeply rooted in its time. It still resonates with audiences today, but I advocate for creating films inspired by others, yet building upon them and reflecting contemporary society.”
Call for Modernized Teen Movies
Ringwald further elaborated, “Notably, this film is very homogenous in its representation. There is a lack of ethnic diversity, and discussions about gender are absent, which I feel is not reflective of our world today. Therefore, I would appreciate seeing movies that draw inspiration from ‘The Breakfast Club’ but evolve in a different, more inclusive direction.”
The 1985 teen comedy-drama, “The Breakfast Club”, centers on five high school students from diverse backgrounds who are compelled to spend a Saturday in detention. The film achieved considerable box office success, grossing over $50 million worldwide.