I mentioned over on Chinesedemocracy.com the interesting point that you only really need Slash and Axl up there to bill it as a "reunion". Most rock bands have two iconic members - usually the singer and lead guitarist (but not always; for the Chilis it's Flea and Kiedis). The other members can be replaced, but the Stones wouldn't be the Stones without Mick and Keef, Queen isn't Queen without Freddie and Brian, Oasis can still get away with calling themselves Oasis as long as Liam and Noel are there... and GN'R is, in the eyes of the general public, Axl and Slash. Which is ironic, since Izzy was arguably more important to the band than Slash.

I don't think Slash would be willing to simply replace Finck; his ego wouldn't let him step back while Bumblefoot played the November Rain outro, for instance. He wouldn't want to be a mere "employee" of Axl, so he'd want Duff to come along at least.

Axl, for his part, wouldn't want to deal with a united front of the former members of VR, so would want some of his people along to maintain the balance of power within the band. Thinking about it logically...

Duff and Slash join Axl. Izzy declines to get involved in a tour, but agrees to take on songwriting duties on the album, and guests on tour (Slash said, IIRC, that Scott was the major stumbling block to using Izzy's material for Velvet Revolver). Fortus stays on board - he knows the songs, none of his solos would encroach on Slash's, and he has fantastic stage presence. Possibly, Fortus's old mucker Frank stays on board (or Matt comes with Duff and Slash). Dizzy (and Pit(t)man?) stick around on keyboards.

If Slash were to come back... they'd have to re-record Chinese Democracy. Again. FFS.

Okay, if Tommy's out then the cards are really on the table for a reunion. Slash wouldn't join up without Duff - he'd want someone from his own camp on-side. But if Tommy's in GN'R, there's no place for Duff. If Tommy quits, then the reunion suddenly becomes far more likely. And so does my fantasy of seeing Slash and Fortus sharing a stage.

I dunno, I would literally gnaw off my own arm to see Fortus and Slash sharing the stage, and the rest of that hypothetical lineup is based on "most likely" predictions.

I'm assuming Slash would want Duff along for the ride, but Axl likely wouldn't want Matt back, and would want someone from his camp present - hence Frank (because Fortus knows him well, and I'm assuming Brain wouldn't want to be part of this project). I've dropped Kushner in there as a wild-card; Axl would probably want a third guitarist, but Slash's ego wouldn't allow for someone like Bucket or Bumble stealing his thunder. Also, I like Kushner, and his experimental guitar tricks would probably appeal to Axl. Plus it maintains the balance between the Axl/Slash camps. It's quite a hard-rock line-up, too; now imagine them with Izzy taking a songwriting/occasional touring guest spot - I think they'd put on a pretty damn good show.

I've clearly put way too much thought into this!