Why Molly Ringwald & Judd Nelson Aren't In The Brat Pack Documentary (2024)

A member of the Brat Pack himself, director Andrew McCarthy managed to wrangle most of the group's members for his documentary, the aptly titled Brats, two actors are noticeably absent: Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson. A play on the informal group of '50s and '60s entertainers known as the Rat Pack, the Brat Pack refers to actors who appeared together in a string of coming-of-age films in the 1980s. So-called "core" Brat Pack members, like McCarthy, Ringwald, and Nelson, appeared in the ensembles of either John Hughes's The Breakfast Club and Joel Schumacher's St. Elmo's Fire.

From Pretty in Pink to Blue City, the Brat Pack-starring movies went on to define '80s Hollywood — and, for a long time, the actors themselves. For performers like McCarthy, a lapsed Brat Pack membership is still a defining trait. A few years ago, the actor-turned-director published a memoir about the experience, Brat: An '80s Story. The Hulu documentary Brats revisits parts of McCarthy's memoir, all while expanding its point of view to include other Brat Pack alum, like Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy, leading many to wonder why Ringwald and Nelson don't appear in the film.

Molly Ringwald & Judd Nelson Declined To Be Interviewed For Brats

The Breakfast Club Stars Weren't Interested In Revisiting The Past For Hulu's Documentary

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In Brats, McCarthy seeks out fellow Brat Pack alum to have honest conversations with them about their fond and not-so-fond memories associated with the moniker. While the tight-knit group of '80s actors were launched to new heights of stardom thanks to the Brat Pack phenomenon, the group's all-defining legacy isn't necessarily all positive. McCarthy, who hadn't seen some of his friends and former co-stars in decades, notes that the Brat Pack association is "like an octopus" — at times, the tentacles offer a nice embrace, but sometimes it can feel more confining (via Entertainment Tonight).

While Judd Nelson doesn't appear in the film because he was hard to track down — reportedly, he lives a quiet life and doesn't make himself available for Hollywood projects — Ringwald has been more open about her feelings about the Brat Pack label. Previously, the Sixteen Candles actor called the Brat Pack designation "limiting," especially when she tried to take on more adult roles. In Brats, McCarthy explains that he did ask Molly Ringwald to join the movie, and while she said she'd think about speaking, it became clear to the director that Ringwald was more interested in "looking forward."

The Core Brat Pack Members Can Be Seen Throughout Andrew McCarthy's Brats

From Demi Moore and Ally Sheedy to Rob Lowe, the Brat Pack actors appeared together time and again, redefining the types of movies that could become Hollywood blockbusters. On the downside, they were often "packaged" together in a way that clearly feels reductive to some of its members, especially in hindsight. While Ringwald and Nelson don't appear to discuss their current feelings about the Brat Pack label, they can be seen throughout Brats in archival footage and scenes from some of the biggest Brat Pack films, so both Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson are still very present in the documentary.

Brats streams exclusively on Hulu beginning June 13, 2024.

Brats (2024)

Documentary

Brats offers an in-depth look at the lives of military children, capturing the complexities of growing up on the move. Through heartfelt interviews and vivid storytelling, the documentary highlights the resilience and adaptability required to navigate frequent relocations.

Director

Andrew McCarthy

Release Date

June 13, 2024

Writers

Andrew McCarthy

Cast

Lea Thompson , Molly Ringwald , Andrew McCarthy , Demi Moore , Ally Sheedy , Rob Lowe , Emilio Estevez , Jon Cryer

Runtime

92 Minutes

Main Genre

Documentary

Source: Entertainment Tonight