Legendary Musicians Reunite for 'This Is Spinal Tap 2' Sequel

This Is Spinal Tap 2 Starts Filming with Paul McCartney and Elton John 40 Years After the Original 888

Paul McCartney, Elton John. Getty Images (2)

Production has officially started on the sequel to Rob Reiner's 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. The new film will feature appearances from Elton John, Paul McCartney, and other celebrities.

This Is Spinal Tap, cowritten and directed by Reiner, stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer as the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The movie is a satire of rock bands and the documentaries made about them, and has since become a cult classic.

The highly anticipated sequel, This Is Spinal Tap II, has officially started filming in New Orleans, as reported by Variety on March 11. This comes almost four decades after the original film was released on March 2, 1984.

Back when Spinal Tap was first released, it marked Reiner's debut as a director. Now, he is set to return to direct the sequel, alongside Guest, McKean, and Shearer who will be reprising their roles from the original film. This includes Guest as guitarist Nigel Tufnel, McKean as frontman David St. Hubbins, Shearer as bassist Derek Smalls, and Reiner as the documentarian Martin "Marty" DiBergi.

Reiner stated that Marty DiBergi was excited to take a break from his job as a visiting Professor’s Assistant at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts to document Spinal Tap once again and secure their legacy in Rock and Roll history.

In the sequel, viewers can look forward to appearances from Questlove, Trisha Yearwood, as well as music legends Elton John, Paul McCartney, and country star Garth Brooks. Reiner announced the cameos from John, McCartney, and Brooks on the “RHLSTP with Richard Herring” podcast in November 2023.

This Is Spinal Tap 2 Starts Filming with Paul McCartney and Elton John 40 Years After the Original 887

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"We're excited to announce that we're working on a sequel," Reiner shared. "Filming is set to begin at the end of February with the original cast returning. We also have some special guests joining us, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, and surprises like Garth Brooks."

The upcoming sequel, This Is Spinal Tap II, co-written by Guest, McKean, Reiner, and Shearer, will continue the story of England's loudest band. After being apart for 15 years, the band reunites for a final concert.

In a statement via Entertainment Weekly in May 2022, Reiner mentioned that when it was revealed that Spinal Tap would reunite for a final concert, Marty DiBergi saw it as an opportunity to mend things with the band who felt This Is Spinal Tap was unfair.

Originally planned for a premiere on March 19, 2024, to align with the original release date of the film, This Is Spinal Tap II faced delays in production due to the strikes by both SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America in 2023. A new release date for Spinal Tap II has not been confirmed yet.

Editor's P/S:

The long-awaited sequel to the beloved mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" is finally in production, bringing back the iconic heavy metal band for one last hurrah. The original film, released in 1984, became a cult classic for its hilarious satire of rock bands and the documentaries that follow them. Now, with the original cast returning and an impressive lineup of celebrity cameos, the sequel promises to deliver more of the same sharp wit and infectious humor that made the first film so endearing.

The inclusion of legendary musicians like Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Garth Brooks adds an extra layer of excitement to the project. These icons of the music industry will undoubtedly bring their own unique personalities and musical experiences to the film, further enhancing the satire and authenticity of the story. Fans of Spinal Tap and rock music in general will eagerly anticipate the release of "This Is Spinal Tap II," hoping it will live up to the legacy of its predecessor and provide a fitting send-off to one of the most beloved bands in cinematic history.