Paul McCartney and Elton John are set to join the cast of the upcoming sequel to the cult mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap. The film, directed by Rob Reiner, who also directed the original 1984 release, is scheduled to start filming in late February of next year.
Reiner shared this exciting news during an interview with comedian Richard Herring on the RHLSTP (Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast). He expressed his gratitude for the continued admiration of This Is Spinal Tap and revealed that the entire original cast, including Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest, is on board for the sequel. The late Tony Hendra, who played the role of manager Ian Faith wielding a cricket bat, will be honored in the plot, focusing on Faith’s death and his widow inheriting a contract requiring the band to perform one last concert.
The idea for the sequel emerged in May 2022, during the Cannes Film Festival international market. Reiner emphasized the importance of finding the right concept to justify revisiting the iconic film. He stated, “You don’t want to just do it, to do it. You want to honor the first one and push it a little further with the story.”
The sequel’s plot will revolve around the aftermath of Ian Faith’s death, with his widow inheriting a contractual obligation for the band to stage a final concert. Reiner, reprising his role as filmmaker Marty DiBergi, is expected to add depth to the storyline, drawing inspiration from Martin Scorsese, who directed the acclaimed music documentary, The Last Waltz, in 1976.
During the podcast, Reiner also reflected on the unexpected success and enduring legacy of This Is Spinal Tap. Despite an initially unfavorable reception, the film achieved recognition, culminating in its inclusion in the National Film Registry in 2002. Reiner remarked, “To wind up in the National Film Registry, that’s bizarre,” highlighting the film’s evolution from initial confusion to widespread appreciation as a satirical masterpiece.