‘Spinal Tap’ Sequel Starts Shooting

Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer are all back in their roles, with Elton John, Paul McCartney, Questlove and Garth Brooks cameoing.

(L to R) Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner in 'This Is Spinal Tap.' Photo: Embassy Pictures.

Preview:

The cameras are now rolling on the ‘This is Spinal Tap’ sequel.
Stars Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer will all reprise their roles.
Elton John and Paul McCartney are among the celebrity music cameos.

There was much excitement among the ‘Spinal Tap’ faithful last year when Rob Reiner –– who co-created and directed classic mockumentary ‘This is Spinal Tap’ –– confirmed that the long-anticipated sequel to the comedy movie would finally start its cameras rolling in February 2024.

Of course, Tap being Tap (the band that is famously seen getting lost in the labyrinthine corridors of a Cleveland venue, and saw their Stonehenge set pieces constructed to slightly smaller scale than imagined), it hasn’t exactly worked out like that.

Still, production company Castle Rock has announced that the follow-up is now officially in production in New Orleans, as Reiner starts aiming to marshal that madness that comes when you have Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer making music together.

This Is Spinal Tap
"Prepare to crank those amps up to eleven"
74
R1 hr 22 minMar 2nd, 1984
Showtimes & Tickets
Watch This Is Spinal Tap Online

What was the story of ‘This is Spinal Tap’?

(L to R) Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean in 'This Is Spinal Tap.' Photo: Embassy Pictures.

To give its full title, ‘This is Spinal Tap’ was a mock doc following the titular heavy metal band around as they tour their new album. The comedy that ensues includes them securing second billing to a puppet show and much talk of the fates to befall various former drummers.

The film stars McKean, Guest and Shearer as the main members of the band, David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls, and while there was an outline for each scene and certain points that had to be hit, a lot of the movie was improvised by the cast.

Reiner appeared on screen as Marti DiBergi, the filmmaker following the band around to document their few triumphs and many disasters.

Released in 1984, it makes regular appearances on or atop Best Comedy lists and was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry and deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress.

Since the original film, there has been a DVD sequel, ‘The Return of Spinal Tap’, and an album, ‘Spinal Tap: Back from the Dead’ arrived in 2009.

The band has also toured a few times, but this marks the full reunion of Reiner with his stars.

What’s the story of the ‘Spinal Tap’ sequel?

(L to R) Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest in 'This Is Spinal Tap.' Photo: Embassy Pictures.

Almost nothing has been revealed about the new movie, though the official announcement carries the following logline: “after a 15-year hiatus, England’s loudest and most punctual band reunite for one final concert.”

Here’s what Reiner says about the new movie:

“I recently spoke to Marty DiBergi who said that he was more than happy to take a sabbatical from his position as a visiting Professor’s Assistant at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts to once again document Spinal Tap to ensure their place in the pantheon of Rock and Roll.”

Who else is in the new movie?

Sir Paul McCartney, in Studio 2 Abbey Road in 'If These Walls Could Sing.' Credit: Mary McCartney.

Given Tap’s wide influence on music (albeit in a comedy sense), it’s perhaps not surprising that a variety of famous faces from the world of music would want to cameo. We can expect to see the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Questlove, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood show up, though the hope is that the cameos don’t detract from the main trio.

When will the next ‘Spinal Tap’ be in theaters?

The ‘Spinal Tap’ sequel (could it be called ‘This is Spinal Tap… Again’? –– Rob, call us, we’ll figure out a payment plan for that idea) has yet to announce a release date.