In the wake of the filmmaker's passing, the 'Lost Boys' actor remembers the late director as someone who tried to help him get sober as he was struggling with drug addiction.

• Jun 23, 2020

AceShowbiz - Corey Feldman is leading tributes to filmmaker Joel Schumacher, revealing "The Lost Boys" director spent time trying to wean him off drugs.

Schumacher, 80, lost his battle with cancer on Monday, June 22, 2020 and Feldman was one of the first to tip his hat to the moviemaker, who directed him in the cult 1987 vampire movie.

The high actor was initially fired by sober Schumacher, who then rehired the young star and decided to help him get clean.

"HE TRIED 2 PREVENT MY DESCENT," Feldman tweeted. "HOWEVER I DIDNT LISTEN AS I WAS 16 & HAD 2 GO THRU WHAT I HAD 2 GO THRU (sic)."

He also revealed the director was instrumental in turning himself and late "The Lost Boys" co-star Corey Haim into a movie and TV item.

"JOEL WAS THE DIRECTOR OF #THELOSTBOYS IT WAS BECAUSE OF HIM #THE2COREYS EVER MET OR BECAME A THING! IT WAS HIS IDEA! HE WAS THE 1ST PERSON 2 EVER SAY 'IVE GOT #THE2COREYS IN MY MOVIE' AS HE BRAGGED ON THE PHONE 2 A FRIEND FROM THE WARDROBE FITTING (sic)...," Feldman explains. "IT WOULD B 2 WEEKS LATER THAT I WOULD MEET #COREYHAIM 4 THE 1ST TIME!"

The Coreys became great friends and teamed up for a series of projects after the film's release.

Feldman also made it clear that Schumacher had no knowledge of the sexual abuse that the two Coreys allegedly experienced while making "The Lost Boys", but added, "HE DID HOWEVER SENSE DEEP PAIN IN ME."

Kiefer Sutherland, who starred in four of the director's films, also shared a tribute, writing on Twitter, "Early today one of my dearest friends and partners in filmmaking, Joel Schumacher, passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. His joy, spirit and talent will live on in my heart and memory for the rest of my life. Joel gave me opportunities and lifelong lessons, making films such as The Lost Boys, Flatliners, A Time to Kill and Phonebooth. His mark on modern culture and film will live on forever. I will miss you, my friend."

And Rob Lowe, the star of Schumacher's 1985 Brat Pack classic "St. Elmo's Fire", shared a statement with Variety, which reads, "Joel saw things others could not. When casting St. Elmo's Fire, everyone thought I should play the yuppie, but Joel knew I could play the Bad Boy. He was hilarious. He had extraordinary taste. The images from his films are timeless snapshots of their era. He was a larger than life original; I will never forget him."

Meanwhile, the director's "The Phantom of the Opera" leading lady, Emmy Rossum, calls him "a force," tweeting, "I am in tears learning of Joel Schumacher's passing... He was one of kind (sic). Creative. Intense. Passionate. He played a huge part in the shaping of my life. I don't have the right words right now."

Tribeca Film Festival boss Jane Rosenthal and actors Patrick Wilson and Rob Morrow have also shared their thoughts about Joel's passing.