KATHMANDU: Popular Film Director Joel Schumacher has died at the age of 80.

Cancer-ridden ‘move maker passed away peacefully and will be remembered by his friends and collaborators’, reads a statement issued by his publicist.

Schumacher, who initially worked in the fashion industry before entering film as a costume designer for Woody Allen’s Sleeper and Interiors,  had directed hit films Batman Forever, St Elmo’s Fire and The Lost Boys.

His first screenplay was for 1976’s musical drama Sparkle, which starred Irene Cara and was later remade with Whitney Houston.

His directorial debut came in 1981 with The Incredible Shrinking Woman starring Lily Tomlin.

His first hit came in 1985 with the Brat Pack drama St Elmo’s Fire, which then led him to make The Lost Boys, which became an even bigger hit in the summer of 1987.

(With inputs from Agencies)