I still don't think this was the case. Earlier in the 2000s, perhaps Johnny was still keen on the idea of getting together with Moz, but I believe him now when he so readily says no. I wouldn't be surprised if he got tired of waiting for Morrissey to change his mind, and Morrissey remained too prideful of his solo career to ever give it a passing glance. I feel as though wanted to reform the Smiths in the very early 90s, before he fell in with Boz & co., and at this time, Johnny was still rejoicing in the freedom of session playing and new projects. Once Morrissey started feeling comfortable solo and with a new band, then perhaps it was Johnny's turn to think, "Well, I've had some good fun, learned some things, it'd be nice to get back to business." The timing of the inclinations never really matched up, I think. Once "Quarry" came out to the most massive commercial success of Morrissey's solo career, I'd imagine that Johnny figured there was no longer any chance of it happening and he put it out of his mind completely. I would think Morrissey hasn't legitimately considered a reunion with Marr since the "Kill Uncle" tour.
I honestly believe that Johnny's explanation for his current revisiting of past musical themes is sincere - he's really just doing it for himself. The thought of Morrissey potentially singing on any of these tracks never came into question for him.
Anyway, that's just what makes sense to me
Well it seemed to vaguely interest Johnny more than the question of the likelihood of a reunion. He looks in the interview as if he's preparing to hear the question yet again, and then the interviewer throws him this one and he has to stop and think about it for a second. I didn't say it was a revolutionary question and I'm not saying Marr's answer was completely unpredictable, but to my knowledge it's the first time an interviewer has asked Marr of the
creative implications of a Smiths reunion.