Interviewed in the Times' Arts & Leisure Weekend forum in Manhattan, the pair confirmed that they are working to create a film version of the rock musical. (Armstrong and his band mates of Green Day have said over the years that they imagined the album as the basis for a film.) The Broadway production currently features Armstrong as dark force St. Jimmy in selected performances through late February.

Of the film, Mayer said at the Times event, "We're definitely in talks. There are people who have the ability to make it happen, who have expressed genuine interest in it, and we want to do it, so I think it could happen."

Reports in 2009 indicated interest from film producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.

Armstrong reprising the role of St. Jimmy for film would be "a no-brainer," Mayer mused Jan. 9.

Mayer and Armstrong share co-librettist credit on that show that borrows Green Day songs (unaltered and in the order of the album, with some interpolations) to tell of the journeys of three young pals in post-9/11 America. Mayer directed the production. In 2010, speaking of a possible film, Armstrong told MTV, "From what I understand, if you stick to the people that are part of the play, it comes out better that way. Like I said, [Idiot director] Michael Mayer, he stuck to the integrity of the record, and the story of the record, and the music of the record. And I think if it was to be translated to the film, I think it would be the same thing."

Armstrong also indicated in the Times discussion that he'd like to write some kind of new and original stage project, working with Mayer.