Release date revealed for ‘Spinal Tap 2’
One of England’s loudest bands will be returning to the big screen later this year. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the long-awaited sequel to Rob Reiner’s 1984 mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, is finally getting its release date.
The film is directed by Reiner and brings the original band of Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) back together for one last concert 15 years after splitting up.
Reiner will also reprise his role as Marty DiBergi, the filmmaker who is tasked with documenting their tour. The cast will also feature several starry cameos, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Garth Brooks.
Bleecker Street, the company behind films such as Captain Fantastic, Logan Lucky, and Hard Truths, has acquired the US distribution rights and set a release date of September 12th. The deal also includes the rights to the first film, which has been restored and set for re-release over the summer in theatres and on streaming platforms.
“We feel privileged for the opportunity to work with Rob Reiner and the brilliant minds behind the original This Is Spinal Tap and to be part of a film that has resonated with so many,” Bleecker Street’s CEO Andrew Karpen and President Kent Sanderson said in a statement.
They continued: “This Is Spinal Tap isn’t just a movie — it’s a cultural touchstone that pioneered the mockumentary genre and left an indelible mark on both film and music. Returning to this world through Spinal Tap II is an extraordinary chance to celebrate its legacy while creating something fresh for both new and devoted audiences.”
When it was released over 40 years ago, This is Spinal Tap wasn’t initially a huge hit, possibly because the mockumentary genre wasn’t an established category of comedy. Reiner even said that many moviegoers assumed that the band was actually real and, therefore, didn’t pick up on the satire. It has since become a cult classic, however, and has even been enshrined in the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
A teaser for the upcoming film landed just as the release date was announced. It features a Marshall guitar amp getting turned up to 11, in reference to one of the original film’s most famous quotes.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.