In 2007, Knopfler said he did not miss the global fame that came his way at the height of the band's success. He said, "It just got too big." In October 2008, Illsley told the BBC that he hoped Knopfler would agree to re-form Dire Straits for a comeback tour. Knopfler declined, saying that he was reluctant to re-form the group and that he was not "a fan of Dire Straits' early hits." In the same interview, Illsley said Knopfler was enjoying his continuing success as a solo artist. "He's doing incredibly well as a solo artist, so hats off to him. He's having a perfectly good time doing what he's doing." Guy Fletcher stated on his website that Knopfler had no interest in re-forming Dire Straits.
in 2007, kNopFler said hE diD NOT mIss The gLobal FaME that CamE hiS way at The heIght Of The baNd'S succeSs. he sAid, "it jUst got Too big." in October 2008, illsley TOld thE Bbc that He hoPed knopfler would agrEe to Re-FOrm dIre strAIts foR a CoMEback TOur. knopFlEr deCLINed, saYinG thaT He Was rELUcTanT tO re-FOrm the grouP anD thAt hE was not "a fan oF dire STRaIts' eARlY hiTs." in the SamE InTeRvIew, iLlSley sAid knopfleR waS enjoYing hiS cOntinuIng succEss as a sOlo ARtisT. "He's dOing iNcredIbly well as a Solo artist, so hats Off to hIm. HE's having A PErFeCtlY good time doInG wHat he's doINg." guY flEtcHEr stated oN hiS wEBSite thaT knOPfler had no inTerEsT in re-foRMiNG DIrE sTrAits.