The iconic, cult classic mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, is finally set to receive an update.
As first reported by Deadline, Castle Rock Entertainment announced this week that This Is Spinal Tap officially has a sequel in the works with original director Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally) returning to the director’s chair, along with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Reiner all reprising their roles from the original.
Besides returning to direct, Reiner will also return for the sequel in his role as filmmaker Marty DiBergi, and the project will reunite David St. Hubbins (McKean), Derek Smalls (Shearer), and Nigel Tufnel (Guest), who are back as the nucleus of England’s loudest and most punctual heavy metal band.
RELATED: THEY/THEM: BLUMHOUSE RELEASES 1ST LOOK AT HORRIFYING LGBTQ+ CONVERSION CAMP SLASHER
This Is Spinal Tap 2 was announced by Castle Rock Entertainment as part of the production company recently relaunching its film division last October. The sequel will be the company’s first film out of the gate.
THIS IS SPINAL TAP 2 WILL FEATURE THE ORIGINAL CAST
First released in 1984, This Is Spinal Tap was a genre-defining classic. One of the earliest examples of a mockumentary feature, the film marked Reiner’s directorial debut. Later in 2002, the film was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry after it was deemed “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress.
Reiner also provided some insight on the direction for the upcoming sequel, indicating that Marty DeBergi is trying to redeem himself after the iconic rock band revealed that the group would reunite for one last concert. However, the band sees the original film as a “hatchet job,” so now DeBergi is back to prove himself again.
Speaking on the announcement via a press release, Reiner commented, “When it was announced that Spinal Tap would reunite for one final concert, Marty DeBergi saw this as a chance to make things right with the band who viewed This is Spinal Tap as a hatchet job.” He continued, “So he left his position as visiting adjunct teacher’s assistant at the Ed Wood School of Cinematic Arts in pursuit of film history.”
RELATED: BREATHTAKING LEGO TRANSFORMERS OPTIMUS PRIME COMING FROM THE PARTNERSHIP OF 2 ICONIC BRANDS
Guest, McKean, Reiner, and Shearer will collaborate and conceive the new film, much like the original, which was written by the four of them. Iconic producer Frank Marshall (Indiana Jones, The Bourne Identity) is attached to produce the project. Castle Rock will finance the film, with Matthew George, Jonathan Fuhrman, and Hernan Narea attached as executive producers under the Castle Rock Banner.
Meanwhile, the original film will receive a special screening at this year’s Cannes Film Festival as part of the Cinema de la Plage sidebar on Wednesday, May 18. Additionally, Castle Rock plans to launch film sales for the sequel at Cannes next week. Additionally, Special guest performers for the project will be announced later on.
Castle Rock’s plan for This Is Spinal Tap 2 includes releasing the film to coincide with the original’s 40th anniversary in early 2024.
The original film is an all-time classic, and at the very least, everyone from the original is returning for the sequel. But what do you think of the news? Are you excited about this special Spinal Tap reunion? Are you excited about a sequel to This Is Spinal Tap, or is this a case where the classic is better left alone? Let us know what you think on our Twitter page.
KEEP READING: 2022 MET GALA: THE ABSOLUTE BEST AND WORST LOOKS OF THE EXCLUSIVE AFFAIR
SOURCE: Deadline, Castle Rock Entertainment
