The newly surfaced screenplay reveals that Stevo would have remained the central character years after the events of the 1998 cult classic.

In a recent post, Merendino explained that the original sequel to SLC Punk was envisioned on a much larger scale. According to him, the story would have taken place across multiple locations and even different continents, which meant the project would have required a multi-million-dollar budget to produce. Although he managed to raise a certain amount of funding years ago, it ultimately was not enough to realize his original vision.



The newly surfaced script also revealed that Stevo would have remained the central character of the story, following his life years after the events of the original film. Instead of continuing as the rebellious punk fans once knew, Stevo had become exhausted by adulthood - wearing suits, working an office job, and slowly losing himself in the routine of everyday life.

The story begins when Trish, the former girlfriend of Heroin Bob, contacts Stevo for help after Bob’s 18-year-old son Ross ends up imprisoned in Colombia following a failed drug-smuggling setup. Believing Stevo became a successful lawyer, Trish turns to him as her last hope.

From there, the screenplay reunites the original Salt Lake City punk crew for one final chaotic adventure. Sean has become a local politician, John the Mod now runs a Norwegian black metal record store and speaks fluent Spanish, while Eddie has turned into a millionaire through a bizarre punk-themed webcam business. Together, the group travels to South America in an attempt to rescue Ross from prison.

According to the script, the sequel would have mixed dark comedy, absurd situations, and emotional reflections on aging, identity, and whether the punk spirit can truly survive adulthood. Heroin Bob also returns throughout the story as a limbo-like narrator commenting on the events from beyond the grave.

Merendino’s post suggests that this version would have been a larger-scale sequel that focused more heavily on Stevo’s journey than the later-released Punk’s Dead: SLC Punk 2.

While renewed interest surrounds the legacy of SLC Punk!, Merendino is now focusing on a completely new project. His upcoming film, Gasoline, is set within the punk scene of the early 1990s and follows a young singer who convinces his younger brothers to travel across America in the family van while playing chaotic DIY punk shows throughout the summer.

The film is based on real events. The story was inspired by the Salt Lake City punk band Eight Buck Experiment, founded by Evan O’Meara and his brothers. Fans of SLC Punk! may recognize the group from the original film, where they appeared as the fictional band Extreme Corporal Punishment and also contributed to the soundtrack.



This time, Evan O’Meara is attached to the project as a producer alongside James Merendino. Gasoline is being produced by Isen Robbins, Aimee Schoof, and Megan Freels Johnston, with casting handled by Kate Geller.

According to Merendino, the project was inspired in part by a younger generation rediscovering classic punk music and old-school punk culture in recent years.

Production on Gasoline is scheduled to begin in August 2026.