Heavy metal legends Spinal Tap are officially returning with Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the highly anticipated sequel to Rob Reiner’s ’80s mockumentary about the fictional rock band whose members constantly disagree with each other. Now, we finally got our first trailer for the long-awaited sequel, which is set to be released in theaters next September 12, and will feature the return of classic cast members, as well as some notable new additions. The old metal gods may be back, but the question remains: Are they now big enough to get the Stonehenge stage prop they deserve? Check out the first trailer below…
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues features the return of the classic cast. Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and Fran Drescher, who will be reprising their roles from the 1984 mockumentary. Rob Reiner is directing and also appearing in front of the camera again to play the journalist documenting Spinal Tap’s return. Music icons Elton John and Paul McCartney will join David, Nigel, and Derek in their epic return to the stage. Alongside the trailer, you can check out the official synopsis for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues below:
Forty-one years after the release of the groundbreaking mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, the now estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) are forced to reunite for one final concert. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues also marks the resurrection of documentarian Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner), who once again tries to capture his favorite metal gods as they contemplate mortality—and the hope that their 12th drummer doesn’t join them in The Great Beyond. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll.
‘This Is Spinal Tap’ Is One of the Most Influential Mockumentaries Ever Made
Before What We Do in the Shadows, The Office, and Modern Family, a rock mockumentary laid the foundations of the genre that would mostly be revisited on television and would be used to scare the hell out of people in horror movies. Little did Reiner know that with This Is Spinal Tap he was creating something as massive as the genre that would resonate in other directions.
Reiner’s direction was based on improvisation and a clear understanding of the story he wanted to tell. Creative control didn’t even have to be negotiated because he made the film following his vision and the actors’. After securing a budget from TV legend Norman Lear, he set out to make a portrayal that was hilarious as well as revelatory.
This Is Spinal Tap was a clever exploration into the world of rock artists, obnoxious attitudes, and their absurdist views of the world. Though it ridiculed them, it was also a brilliant comedy that made its subjects more compelling as their journey continued. And let’s be honest, the songs were legitimately catchy. Spinal Tap was so popular as a fictional band that the cast members were convinced they had to take things further, and even played live as the band for a few fortunate fans. But what has brought the band back together after all these years? Well, according to returning director Rob Reiner, it was the passing of Tony Hendra that “unlocked” the idea of Spinal Tap II. He explained:
“It came from a very real place, which was that Tony Hendra, the actor who played Ian Faith, their manager in the movie, passed away. And in reality, the guys — Harry, Chris and Michael — hadn’t played together as Tap for 15 years. So we thought, ‘Maybe there’s something in that, a reunion concert.’ And we came up with this idea that Ian Faith had willed his daughter, Hope, this contract that called for one more performance. 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.”
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
