The news goes up to eleven. After 41 years since the release of the 1984 cult-classic This Is Spinal Tap, regarded as one of the best mockumentaries of all time, a sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, will be released this September.
The 1984 original, directed by Rob Reiner (Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally…) in his debut, follows the fictional English heavy metal band Spinal Tap on their disastrous American tour. As documentary filmmaker Marty DiBergi (played by Reiner) captures their journey, the band struggles with canceled shows, internal tensions, and dwindling audience members.
From stage mishaps to creative disputes, the mockumentary blends comedy and satire to immortalize a piece of rock culture on film. Michael McKean stars as lead vocalist and guitarist David St. Hubbins, Christopher Guest as lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel, and Harry Shearer as bassist Derek Smalls.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues reunites McKean, Guest, and Shearer as Spinal Tap after 15 years for one final show.The film will also feature music stars Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Questlove, Trisha Yearwood, Chad Smith of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lars Ulrich of Metallica as themselves.
Originally planned for a March 2024 release, the film was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The 30-second teaser shows a hand turning an amplifier up to eleven and then to infinity, referencing the original scene where Nigel Tufnel shows an amp with volume knobs going up to eleven instead of ten. Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge” plays as the title and release date are revealed.
Watch the teaser trailer for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues below:
In the US, This Is Spinal Tap will also return to theaters this summer for its 41st anniversary.
