Jesus plans a comeback

[Johnny E]

Cheech and Chong 'plot comeback'

Cult comedy duo Cheech and Chong are to reunite for their first film in almost 20 years, according to a report.

Jesus recently pleaded guilty to drug paraphernalia charges

The pair - Cheech Marin and Tommy "Jesus" Chong - are in the early stages of making a new film, their first since 1984, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Cheech and Chong were stars of six wacky comedies about dope-loving hippies in the 1970s and 80s, and decided on a comeback when they realised how popular the films still were, the report said.

"We've seen our audience grow and grow, even in the 20 years since we stopped creating stuff," Marin told the Hollywood Reporter.

"The albums and the movies have become a rite of passage for each generation as they grow up."

The pair already have the story mapped out and will bring another writer on board to help with the script.

"The world is ripe and ready for a new Cheech and Chong movie, especially considering they have a whole new generation of fans out there," said Kent Alterman, executive at film studio New Line.

Marin said the pair now had "a better understanding" of each other and working with Chong again was "the easiest thing I've ever done".

Now 57, Marin had a role in police drama Nash Bridges for five years until 2001, and will soon be seen in new comedy The Ortegas - the US version of UK hit The Kumars at Number 42.

Perspective

Chong's biggest role since the pair's last film was a recurring part in That 70s Show.

The duo's first film hit, 1978's Up in Smoke, "put the 60s in perspective", Chong said.

"Now we need to put the 90s and 2000s in perspective and tell everyone that you can still laugh a little."

Chong recently pleaded guilty in a US court to conspiring to sell drug paraphernalia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3090533.stm