After years of anticipation, This Is Spinal Tap‘s sequel is finally in production. Filming has officially gotten underway on the sequel starring the original members of Spinal Tap: Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel, Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins, and Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls.
Rob Reiner returns to direct the long-awaited mockumentary sequel and will reprise his role as documentarian Martin “Marty” DiBergi. “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,” joked Reiner.
The film, which is shooting in New Orleans, will feature cameos by Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Questlove, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. Castle Rock Entertainment’s Rob Reiner, Michele Reiner, and Matthew George are producing, with Castle Rock financing the project. Derrick Rossi and Christopher H. Warner are on board as executive producers.
According to Castle Rock’s press release announcing the start of production, the sequel finds “England’s loudest and most punctual band, reuniting for one final concert” after a 15-year hiatus.
The original mockumentary was released in March 1984 and grossed $4.7 million over its theatrical run. Its box office numbers don’t reflect the cult status it eventually achieved, with the National Film Registry adding it to their collection of films deemed “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.”
The sequel was announced in 2022 and had been targeting a 2024 release to coincide with the original film’s 40th anniversary. The start-of-production announcement did not confirm if 2024 is still the release target.
