Paul McCartney And Elton John Will Appear in ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ Sequel

Rob Reiner, the maestro behind the iconic 1984 mockumentary ‘This Is Spinal Tap,’ is gearing up to shoot its long-awaited sequel after four decades. The acclaimed director revealed some information on the ‘RHLSTP With Richard Herring’ podcast, hinting at some exciting collaborations with real music legends, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Garth Brooks.

Reprising their roles, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer are set to rock as the members of ‘Spinal Tap,’ while Reiner himself will step back into the shoes of the documentarian Martin ‘Marty’ Di Bergi. Drawing inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s legendary concert film, ‘The Last Waltz,’ the sequel promises to capture the essence of the band’s journey.

The original ‘This Is Spinal Tap,’ now preserved by the National Film Registry, thrived on improvisation. According to Reiner, the key to success was assembling a cast adept at thinking on their feet. “You have to get people who feel comfortable doing that… then you’re off to the races,” he shared.

Also Read: Keith Richards on Recording With Paul McCartney: “Felt like the old days” 

Offering a nugget of wisdom for comedy filmmaking, Reiner emphasized the importance of not overstaying one’s welcome, akin to stand-up comedy. “You leave them wanting. You go off on a big laugh and go out,” he advised, cautioning against loading the film with tangents that could dilute its essence.

Originally slated for a 19th March 2024 release, the sequel faced delays due to the Hollywood strikes. With filming set for February, an updated release date is still under wraps. The excitement for the sequel peaked when Reiner spilled the beans on the podcast, stating, “Everybody’s back. Paul McCartney is joining us, and Elton John. And a few other surprises, Garth Brooks.”

Also Read: Elton John Teases New Album, Says it Will “Surprise” People 

In a nod to the sequel’s plot, it appears Marty DiBergi will seek redemption by shooting a second film for the band. Reiner shared, “Marty DiBergi was roundly criticized by the band members for having done a hatchet job… he’s going to be doing the second film.” The storyline delves into Marty’s struggles since the original, including an ill-fated film titled ‘Kramer vs Kramer vs Godzilla,’ featuring a peculiar love triangle that didn’t fare well at the box office.

The sequel’s initial release plan aligned with the 40th anniversary of the original film. However, with filming slated for February, the release date remains uncertain. In the words of Reiner himself, “We debated whether or not we should do it… I said, ‘Look at us, we’re all in our 70s. How much time are we going to have [left] to have some fun?'” We’re very excited to see Paul McCartney and Elton John in the sequel!

-Britney Jones