The classic mockumentary
This Is Spinal Tap is finally getting a sequel after 40 years, and here is everything we know about
This Is Spinal Tap 2. 
This is Spinal Tap is one of the finest examples of the mockumentary subgenre, with its endlessly quotable dialogue embedded into pop culture. The movie was the directorial debut of Rob Reiner, who would go on to make other classic movies such as the drama 
Stand by Me, the fantasy film 
The Princess Bride, and the rom-com
When Harry Met Sally. Reiner is back in the director’s chair for
This Is Spinal Tap 2.,The original follows the fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap as they embark on an ill-fated American tour to promote their latest album. The key band members are lead singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). The comedy trio also created another fictitious musical group, The Folksmen, for the Guest-helmed 2003 mockumentary
A Mighty Wind, but
This Is Spinal Tap 2 will be the first time the band is reunited for a movie since 
This Is Spinal Tap was released in 1984.,Related: Why The Princess Bride Sequel Was Never Made,During its initial theatrical release,
This Is Spinal Tap received critical acclaim but only modest commercial success. However, the movie found its audience on VHS and has since become a cult classic. In 2002, it was inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry, recognized as “
culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Its popularity became enough that the actors began performing as Spinal Tap in real life, too, most recently in 2009. Now they’re returning to the screen. Here’s everything we know about 
This Is Spinal Tap 2, including the potential cast, story, and release date.,After four decades,
 This Is Spinal Tap 2 will hold the record for the longest gap between a movie and its sequel with the original cast and creatives returning. Spinal Tap as a band has put out content in the intervening years, including albums, live gigs, and a memorable cameo on 
The Simpsons
. Director Rob Reiner says that the demand for a
This Is 
Spinal Tap sequel from the fans has always been there, but he didn’t want to do
Spinal Tap 2 just 
“to do it. You want to honor the first one and push it a little further with the story” (via
Deadline). With the 40th anniversary of the original approaching, the time is now right for Spinal Tap to re-form once again.,As well as directing
This Is Spinal Tap 2, Rob Reiner will be back on screen as filmmaker Marty DiBergi. The original cast will also return, with Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, and Michael McKean (lately of
Better Call Saul) conceiving the new movie in partnership with Reiner. The sequel will no doubt feature a new drummer, with one of the running jokes of 
This is Spinal Tap being that their drummers invariably perish from freak accidents (spontaneous combustion, choking on someone else’s vomit, etc.). Tony Hendra, who played band manager Ian Faith, passed away in 2021, but his character will inspire the story of 
Spinal Tap 2. 
This Is Spinal Tap also featured several cameos by comedians and musicians, and
This Is Spinal Tap 2 will likely feature some new cameos from real icons of the music industry.,Rob Reiner has set out the basic premise of
This Is Spinal Tap 2, which may follow the format of a concert film, similar to Martin Scorsese’s movie
The Last Waltz. The idea is that band manager Ian Faith has passed away, and Ian’s widow has inherited a contract that states Spinal Tap owed them one more concert. With Spinal Tap reforming to avoid getting sued, Marty DiBergi gets the chance to document their final show and make peace with the band after they were upset with their portrayal in
This Is Spinal Tap.,Related: The Most Anticipated Movies From Cannes Film Festival 2022,This Is Spinal Tap 2 was announced at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, and while the movie has yet to be made, if everything goes to plan, then 
Spinal Tap 2 will be released in theaters on March 19, 2024, to mark the 40th anniversary of 
This Is Spinal Tap. It would be in keeping with the spirit of 
This Is Spinal Tap, however, if something went “wrong” and it was released as a 2023 movie (or later). Whether it hits its anniversary release date or not, though,
This Is Spinal Tap 2 will almost certainly be turned up to 11.,Next: The Most Anticipated Comedy Movies Of 2022