Emilio Estevez, known as the unofficial president of the Brat Pack in the 80s, recently opened up about his reluctance to be associated with the group of young actors. In a new documentary called BRATS, Emilio revealed that he felt like the members of the Brat Pack were like “kryptonite” to each other. This feeling led him to turn down certain film roles, including one in a movie called Young Men With Unlimited Capital that he considered to be one of the best scripts he had read in a long time.
During a conversation with fellow Brat Pack member Andrew McCarthy in the documentary, Emilio expressed his frustration with how the Brat Pack label affected his career. Andrew also shared his experience of being asked to participate in the same movie but was ultimately turned down by Emilio, causing him to feel hurt. Emilio clarified that it was not a personal issue with Andrew but rather a general aversion to working with any of the Brat Pack members because he believed it could have a negative impact on their careers.
The documentary delves into the aftermath of a 1985 New York Magazine cover story by David Blum that introduced the term “Brat Pack” to describe a group of successful young actors, including Emilio, Andrew, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy. Following the article’s publication, the actors were often seen as mere partiers and struggled to be taken seriously in the film industry. This perception led many of them to battle with substance abuse issues in the late 80s.
Despite agreeing to discuss the Brat Pack with Andrew in the documentary after avoiding the topic for years, Emilio emphasized that he is not interested in dwelling on the past. He believes that focusing too much on the past can hinder progress in moving forward. When asked if he wished the Brat Pack name had never been coined, Emilio acknowledged that it may have had some short-term benefits but ultimately caused more harm than good in the long run.
Emilio’s candid reflections on his Brat Pack experience shed light on the complexities of fame and group dynamics in the entertainment industry. The documentary provides a revealing look at how the label impacted the careers and personal lives of these young actors, offering insights into the challenges they faced both individually and as a group. By sharing his story, Emilio invites viewers to reconsider the legacy of the Brat Pack and the lasting effects of being part of such a prominent cultural phenomenon.