Paul McCartney and Elton John to star in 'This Is Spinal Tap' sequel

28 November 2023, 11:23

This Is Spinal Tap – classic movie trailer

Some real-life big hitters are lined up for the long-awaited rock 'n' roll sequel.

Released in 1984, This Is Spinal Tap has not only endured as one of the all-time great comedy movies, but also one of the greatest music movies full stop.

And 40 years and several lawsuits on, director Rob Reiner is joining forces with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer for a long-awaited sequel next year.

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Not only will Spinal Tap II feature David St Hubbins (McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Guest) and Derek Smalls (Shearer) as well as in-movie filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Reiner) but some top-tier real-life rock stars are also coming along for the ride.

Speaking on Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, director Reiner let spill that some veteran rock 'n' rollers would be making an appearance in the sequel.

"We're going to start shooting in the end of February," he said.

"Everybody's back. Paul McCartney is joining us, and Elton John. And a few other surprises, Garth Brooks."

When it was first announced last year, a tentative release date of March 19, 2024 was set, but a February shoot suggests that the film will actually come out later than that.

Last year, Reiner announced the surprise plans for a sequel and told Variety about the planned story for the film.

Spinal Tap - Hell Hole

"They’ve played Albert Hall, played Wembley Stadium, all over the country and in Europe,” Reiner said. “They haven't spent any time together recently, and that became the premise.

"The idea was that Ian Faith, who was their manager, he passed away. In reality, [actor] Tony Hendra passed away. Ian's widow inherited a contract that said Spinal Tap owed them one more concert.

"She was basically going to sue them if they didn't. All these years and a lot of bad blood we'll get into and they’re thrown back together and forced to deal with each other and play this concert."

He added: "I'm back playing Marty DiBergi. The band was upset with the first film. They thought I did a hatchet job and this is a chance to redeem myself

"I am such a big fan and I felt bad they didn’t like what they saw in the first film.

"When I heard they might get back together, I was a visiting adjunct teacher's helper at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts. I drop everything to document this final concert."