The sequel to ’80s comedy classic This Is Spinal Tap starts filming 40 years after the original, with new cameos confirmed alongside OG cast returns.
The sequel to ’80s comedy classic This Is Spinal Tap starts filming 40 years after the original was released, with new cameos confirmed alongside OG cast returns. Rob Reiner popularized the mockumentary genre with his 1984 comedy about the exploits of a fictional glam rock band. Back in 2022, it was announced that Spinal Tap was set to return in a long-delayed sequel, with the movie’s original stars reprising their roles.
40 years after the Tap first rocked out, This is Spinal Tap 2 has officially begun filming, with original stars Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest back in spandex, alongside confirmed cameo stars Questlove, Trisha Yearwood, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Garth Brooks. In addition to directing, Reiner will reprise the role of documentarian Marti DiBergi. See Reiner’s statement below (via Variety):
“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.”
This is Spinal Tap 2 Cameos Hint At the Tap Going Country
Spinal Tap were the hardest of hard rockers in their 1980s incarnation. The band worked in other genres before settling on hard rock, however, dabbling in psychedelic pop, jazz fusion, prog rock, funk and reggae over the years. A couple of the newly-confirmed This is Spinal Tap 2 cameos hint that the band may attempt another genre switch in the now-filming sequel.
It makes sense that rock legends McCartney and John would pop up in This is Spinal Tap 2. It’s intriguing, however, that country stars Yearwood and Brooks are also onboard for the long-awaited comedy sequel. It could be that, this time around, it’s revealed that at least one of the band’s members has been flirting with country music in recent years.
This is Spinal Tap
is available to watch on AMC+.
Rock stars going country is, of course, a real thing that happens in the music world. Famously, Hootie and the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker has made a successful second career as a country star. Poison lead singer Bret Michaels also turned to Nashville to further his own musical pursuits. The upcoming This is Spinal Tap sequel does not want for targets as it turns its satiric gaze on the music business of 2024, and it seems likely that the phenomenon of rock stars doing a surprise country turn may come up in the new film.
Source: Variety