Schumacher taking 'St. Elmo's' to ABC

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. producer Joel Schumacher wants to make a TV series version of "St. Elmo's Fire," the movie that helped ignite his career, another producer says.

Dan Bucatinsky said 1985's "St. Elmo's Fire," which was directed by Schumacher, is focused on the age-old topic of close friends and the bonds they share, The Hollywood Reporter said Thursday.

"More than anything, the movie evokes a feeling that doesn't go away," said Bucatinsky, who will share executive producing duties on the comedy-drama with Schumacher, Topher Grace and Jamie Tarses, "the feeling of bonding with your friends who become your surrogate family."

The new ABC series, which received a commitment with an attached penalty from the network, will be set at Georgetown University and St. Elmo's Bar & Restaurant in Washington just like the original film.

Bucatinsky told the Reporter the series could fall into the mold of the former NBC hit comedy "Friends," citing its planned focus on friendship.

"I feel it is time to re-create 'Friends' in the hour-long genre and feel like this is the perfect opportunity," he said.