Spinal Tap II: The End Continues: Trailer, cast, plot, release date and special guests of the long-awaited sequel

13 March 2025, 10:59 | Updated: 13 March 2025, 16:58

What's wrong with being sequel-y?

This is Spinal Tap is more than just the best mockumentary every made. It's more than just one of the best comedies. It's one of the best movies of all time.

Inevitably, ever since it was first released there's been calls for a sequel (we're not counting 1992's concert movie The Return of Spinal Tap as the real deal).

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A follow-up was finally confirmed last year and given how beloved the movie is by fans and critics alike, there's also been plenty of worries that any follow-up might not live up to the classic original.

Later this year we'll find out if those fears were justified or if the new movie goes up to 11 just like This Is Spinal Tap did over 40 years ago.

Ahead of its release, we've rounded up everything you need to know about Spinal Tap 2.

What is the full name of Spinal Tap 2?

From in-movie albums like Smell the Glove and Intravenous De Milo to extra-textual projects like Break Like The Wind, Spinal Tap have always had a way with titles.

And the full name of the Spinal Tap sequel is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

On the teaser trailer, we see that the Tap have retained that metal umlaut over the "n" (Spin̈al Tap II: The End Continues).

Better still, that "II" is displayed as a trio of stones from Stonehenge (Where the demons dwell/ Where the banshees live/ And they do live well").

Is there a trailer for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues?

Spinal Tap II - The End Continues – teaser trailer goes up to 11

While there isn't a full-length trailer just yet for Spinal Tap 2, there is a lovely little teaser which shows those amps going all the way up not just to 11, but all the way to infinity (and presumably beyond).

When is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues released in cinemas?

The trailer promises the film is coming this September, and a publicised US cinematic release date is September 12, 2025.

In the US, Bleecker Street has the distribution rights.

Who is returning in the cast from the original Spinal Tap and what newcomers are there?

Most of the main players are present and correct.

Rob Reiner will direct once more, and has co-written the film with the three main leads: Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel), Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins) and Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls).

Rob will reprise his role as in-film documentary maker Martin 'Marty' Di Bergi. Comedy legend Fran Drescher also returns as Bobbi Flekman

Sadly, Tony Hendra, who played manager Ian Faith in the original film, passed away in 2021.

Newbies to the cast include Don Lake, John Michael Higgins, Jason Acuña, Nina Conti, Griffin Matthews, Kerry Godliman, Chris Addison (playing a concert promoter), Brad Williams, Paul Shaffer and Kathreen Khavari.

What is the plot of When is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues?

Spinal Tap - 18" Stonehenge

Spinal Tap 2 will catch us up with what the three main players –  David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnell – have been up to since the Tap's last split, before getting the band back together after 15 years apart (just as in real life) for one final show.

Rob Reiner told Empire that Nigel has been running a cheese and guitar shop in Berwick-upon-Tweed, David has been writing music for podcasts and Derek is the curator of the New Museum of Glue and composer of a symphony about the devil in a bad wig called Hell Toupée.

"We came up with this idea that Ian Faith had willed his daughter, Hope, this contract that called for one more performance," Reiner explained.

"She thinks initially, 'Well, this is not really worth anything, because the band hasn’t played together'.

"But then some big music star, while screwing around at a sound check, is filmed on an iPhone singing a Tap song, and it goes wild on social media. All of a sudden, the contract is worth something."

What special guest cameos have been confirmed for Spinal Tap 2?

When the film was first announced, it was reported that real-life music superstars Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Questlove, Trisha Yearwood, Chad Smith, and Lars Ulrich would all appear.

Reiner directly mentioned Macca, Elton and Lars when talking about the film, and when the trailer was released the blurb confirmed the inclusion of McCartney, John and Garth Brooks.

What songs can we expect to hear in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues?

Spinal Tap - Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight [outro] (live 1984) HD

The teaser trailer for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues features 'Stonehenge', and we'll be surprised if at least a couple of original Tap classics don't make their way into the film.

"There's going to be an album that we did for Interscope, which we've finished," Reiner confirmed.

As well as two Elton John songs and a Paul McCartney number ("ones that people know"), we're also very excited to hear some brand new Spinal Tap material.

We've been promised a Derek Smalls track called 'Rockin' In The Urn', about how even death won't stop him playing rock 'n' roll.