New Jay & Silent Bob movie on the way?

Posted Monday, April 7, 2003 at 4:52 PM Central

by John Couture

No, that headline isn't a misprint. From the very lips of the man who had 'God' close the book on his View Askewniverse, there appears to be a glimmer of hope for Jay & Silent Bob fans.

Jay is your typical drug-dealing stoner and Silent Bob is his taciturn, hetero life mate. Together, they form the Greek chorus of Kevin Smith's fabled Jersey 'trilogy' (which spanned five movies -- don't ask, its explanation is almost as tricky as Willam's overnight weight loss, but I digress). The duo's crowning achievement came in 2001's Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, with the pair taking center stage as they traverse from their home in New Jersey to Hollywood to stop a film based on their alter egos, Bluntman and Chronic, from being made.

At the end of the credits, singer Alanis Morissette, who had previously played God in Smith's previous film Dogma, quite literally closed the book on the Askewniverse, the mythical place (which uncannily resembles the Jersey shore) in which all five of his films have taken place. This symbolic gesture split Smith's rabid fan base into two camps, those in favor of Smith stretching his creative legs and those who just want more Jay & Bob ad nauseum.

Well, today it appears that the latter group may get its wish although P10P{Smith has repeatedly maintained that he's leaving his Askewniverse behind him. That might not surprise the true fan boys, but it might surprise them to learn that the fate of their dream rests on the outcome of Jason Mewes all too real drug rehabilitation program for his heroine addiction.

According to reports, Smith announced at one of his trademark Q&As last Tuesday that if Mewes is able to complete the program and stay clean, then he will bring back the drug-peddling duo. Which sets up quite the quandary, can Mewes play a drug user on screen while he stays clean off screen?

In a related development, several reports are confirming that HBO is planning to air a documentary entitled 'Rock Bottom' later this Summer. 'Rock Bottom' will follow Jason Mewes as he struggles to overcome his heroine addiction and complete his drug rehabilitation.