Comedy rock band Spinal Tap (Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean) pose standing in a … [+]
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues — the four decades-in-the-making sequel to the classic rock mock documentary This is Spinal Tap — lands a distributor and is coming to theaters this fall.
All of the key creatives from This is Spinal Tap are coming back for Spinal Tap II, including Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel, Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins and Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls. Rob Reiner, who played documentarian Marti DiBergi and directed This is Spinal Tap, is reprising the role and directing Spinal Tap II.
According to Deadline, indie distributor Bleecker Street has secured the U.S. distribution rights for Spinal Tap II and will release the film domestically on Sept. 12. Bleecker Street will also re-release 1984’s This is Spinal Tap for a 41st Anniversary theatrical run sometime during the summer.
Per Deadline, Spinal Tap II finds the metal band reuniting after a 15-year break for one last gig. Also reprising their roles from This is Spinal Tap for Spinal Tap II are Fran Drescher as Bobbi Flekman and Paul Shaffer as Artie Fufkin.
The cast also Don Lake, John Michael Higgins, Nina Conti, Griffin Matthews, Kerry Godliman and Chris Addison, while such music icons as Elton John, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will make cameo appearances in the film.
The release of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues was announced in a short teaser video (see below) on Wednesday that showed all knobs on Nigel’s amplifier being turned up to 11. The Spinal Tap tune “Stonehenge” is also heard in the teaser.
Rob Reiner Is Happy The Band’s Legacy Is Being Kept Alive By ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues’
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, director Rob Reiner said (via Deadline), “So happy to be working with the folks at Bleecker Street who are passionate about keeping Tap’s legacy alive and happy to give Marty DiBergi another shot at relevancy.”
Bleecker Street’s CEO Andrew Karpen and president Kent Sanderson also issued a statement (via Deadline) about the release, saying, “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,” Karpen and Sanderson said.
“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,” the duo added. “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.”
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues opens in theaters on Sept. 12.
Read the full article here